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Online platforms: Digital Services Act

Host user content or run a marketplace? Set up notice and action, transparent terms and trader checks under the DSA and the P2B Regulation.

Online platforms: Digital Services Act

What clients ask us

Does the Digital Services Act apply to us?

The Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), fully applicable since 17 February 2024, covers intermediary services offered to users in the EU: mere conduit, caching and hosting. Anyone who stores content for users is a hosting service, so a SaaS tool with uploads or a site with comments can be caught. Online platforms, which also spread that content to the public, and marketplaces have more duties, and the very largest the most. A provider outside the EU must appoint a legal representative in the EU.

Are we liable for what our users post or sell?

Not as long as you do not know about illegal content and act quickly once you do. That is the hosting exemption, and the DSA keeps it. There is no general duty to monitor, and your own voluntary checks do not cost you the exemption. Marketplaces are an exception: if an average consumer would think the product or service comes from you, consumer law can hold you liable as if you were the seller. Clear trader labels and a working notice-and-action process are your best protection.

What do we have to put in place?

Every intermediary service needs points of contact for authorities and users, and terms that explain how you moderate content. Hosting services add a notice-and-action mechanism and a statement of reasons for every restriction they impose. Online platforms add an internal complaint system, access to out-of-court dispute settlement, priority for trusted flaggers, measures against misuse, transparency on advertising and recommender systems, protection of minors and a ban on dark patterns. Micro and small enterprises are exempt from most platform-specific duties.

We run a marketplace. What else applies?

You must know your traders before they can sell: collect their name, address, contact details, identification, payment account and registration number, and make reasonable efforts to check them. Design your interface so traders can give the pre-contractual, product safety and labelling information consumers need. If you learn that an illegal product was sold, inform the buyers you can reach. Your terms with traders and the onboarding flow are where this comes together.

What does the P2B Regulation require towards our business users?

If businesses reach customers through your platform, app store or search engine, the Platform-to-Business Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 applies. Your terms must be clear and available, changes need at least 15 days' notice, and you must give reasons when you restrict or suspend a business user, with 30 days' notice before ending the relationship. Explain the main ranking parameters, offer an internal complaint system (small enterprises are exempt) and name mediators.

Who supervises the DSA, and what are the fines?

Each Member State has a Digital Services Coordinator, and the one where you are established supervises you. The European Commission supervises very large online platforms and search engines, those with at least 45 million monthly active users in the EU. Fines can reach 6% of worldwide annual turnover, and 1% for incorrect or incomplete information. Users and their organisations can also complain and claim compensation.

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