Understanding the Impact of the Digital Services Act (DSA) Requirements on Content Moderation
Blog post from Stream
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is poised to significantly impact content moderation practices for digital platforms within the European Union starting February 2024, mandating compliance for platforms regardless of size. It emphasizes transparency, user protection, and content handling, requiring platforms to adopt clear moderation policies, comprehensive reporting obligations, efficient notice-and-action mechanisms, and robust user complaint processes. Penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, especially for platforms with over 45 million EU users, such as TikTok, Meta, and X, which are under investigation for potential breaches. The DSA is part of a global regulatory framework, aligning with laws like the U.S. Section 230 and the UK's Online Safety Bill, to ensure safer digital environments. Effective moderation, incorporating AI screening and user-generated reports, is essential for legal compliance and maintaining user trust, with platforms encouraged to adopt adaptable strategies to meet evolving global standards.