EU could reach deal on antitrust Digital Services Act by June
Negotiations with countries over the European Union's Digital Services Act could be concluded by the end of June, it is believed, talks that can bring in a new law forcing Apple and tech giants to manage their behavior in a number of areas.
Since its introduction by the European Commission in December 2020, the Digital Services Act has been discussed by European lawmakers as a way to coerce tech multinationals into policing their platforms. If companies fail to do so, they could be fined as much as 6% of their global turnover.
Specifically, the Digital Services Act takes aim at illegal and harmful content, with platform holders required to take such items down in a prompt manner. This includes online marketplaces, social networks, content-sharing platforms, digital storefronts like the App Store, and other online services.
To bring the proposal into law, it has to reach a deal with EU member countries, which can be a long process. However, Reuters reports that it could happen within a relatively short timeframe.
EU lawmaker Christel Schaldemose, who is steering negotiations, said on Monday "I am optimistic we can make a deal before the end of June."
In terms of the negotiations themselves, Schaldemose said lawmakers are keen to increase how much platform-owners have to accomplish in blocking content, including the banning of so-called dark patterns, and to keep regulating companies based on where they are registered.
On the dark patterns, she adds "We go into the business models of platforms. The Council is not so willing to go that far," indicating there's a difference of opinion to be worked on. "The Council wants the ban only for online marketplaces. Parliament wants a ban on all platforms."
Lawmakers are also keen to ban targeted advertising for minors, as well as for advertising using sensitive data including sexual orientation or political beliefs.
The Digital Services Act was introduced at the same time as the Digital Markets Act, which aims to increase competition. The measures include forcing Apple and Google to allow users to uninstall preinstalled apps on devices, eliminating self-preferencing in search results, and more transparency over advertising metrics.
The progress of both the DSA and DMA slowed in late 2021, prompted by parliamentary squabbles over what services are affected, and how much by. Currently the DMA lags behind the DSA in the process.
Read on AppleInsider
Since its introduction by the European Commission in December 2020, the Digital Services Act has been discussed by European lawmakers as a way to coerce tech multinationals into policing their platforms. If companies fail to do so, they could be fined as much as 6% of their global turnover.
Specifically, the Digital Services Act takes aim at illegal and harmful content, with platform holders required to take such items down in a prompt manner. This includes online marketplaces, social networks, content-sharing platforms, digital storefronts like the App Store, and other online services.
To bring the proposal into law, it has to reach a deal with EU member countries, which can be a long process. However, Reuters reports that it could happen within a relatively short timeframe.
EU lawmaker Christel Schaldemose, who is steering negotiations, said on Monday "I am optimistic we can make a deal before the end of June."
In terms of the negotiations themselves, Schaldemose said lawmakers are keen to increase how much platform-owners have to accomplish in blocking content, including the banning of so-called dark patterns, and to keep regulating companies based on where they are registered.
On the dark patterns, she adds "We go into the business models of platforms. The Council is not so willing to go that far," indicating there's a difference of opinion to be worked on. "The Council wants the ban only for online marketplaces. Parliament wants a ban on all platforms."
Lawmakers are also keen to ban targeted advertising for minors, as well as for advertising using sensitive data including sexual orientation or political beliefs.
The Digital Services Act was introduced at the same time as the Digital Markets Act, which aims to increase competition. The measures include forcing Apple and Google to allow users to uninstall preinstalled apps on devices, eliminating self-preferencing in search results, and more transparency over advertising metrics.
The progress of both the DSA and DMA slowed in late 2021, prompted by parliamentary squabbles over what services are affected, and how much by. Currently the DMA lags behind the DSA in the process.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Regulation makes the price of entry into a market higher.
Those that are already there become stronger.
This contemptible and loathsome act should never see the light if day.
No, it's a blacklist of activities within the Act, according to reports.
I see nothing about a ban on political advertising. If there is such a thing, it's not hard to ban adverts that are explicitly political. And no, not everything is political.
I'm just floating the idea that those that think more regulation will make Big Tech less powerful might be disappointed with the results.
And as far as wanting tech companies to police themselves, yea, I know they want that. Duh! Why anyone would think that is desirable is beyond me. It's a terrible terrible terrible idea!
It's literally what we have now. The change is to introduce penalties so that ineffectiveness of self regulation is subject to penalty, thereby encouraging tech firms to take it more seriously. I'm not sure what's so terrible about that.
MISINFORMATION?!! Are you kidding me? Who exactly do you think should be the arbiters of what is and is not misinformation? The Government? Large tech companies? These entities represent powerful entrenched interests that have not hesitated to shut down anyone who threatens their interests. Too many that are ignorant of history seem all too willing to move us toward an information oligarchy.
We have witnessed what has happened in Russia during Vladimir Putin’s reign. The free media that sprung to life under Boris Yeltsin has been slowly dismembered. The most obvious way was forced shutdown of news organizations and the arrest of their management. The West rightly cried fowl. But other news organizations simply moderated themselves and became subservient mouthpieces of the state. We see this happening in Hong Kong right now. In the West we see few news organizations being shut down. Instead we see many news outlets self-policing, not for the betterment of society but simply to maintain their approval in the eyes of politicians and government bureaucrats. I can’t think of a more corrosive act against democratic values.
I love Apple. But I trust them no more that any other news outlet to arbitrate and gate-keep what is suitable news for the masses.There's some other stuff too, I suggest you familiarise yourself with what's in the Act before ranting any more, or you'll do yourself some damage: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act-ensuring-safe-and-accountable-online-environment_en
What's your angle? Nothing should be moderated on the internet?