EU Digital Services Act
On January 20, 2022, the European Union took a major first step in passing laws to transform how technology companies do business in the EU. There are still several steps before the laws become final, but in the initial vote yesterday, the 27-nation members overwhelmingly approved tighter controls.
The proposed Digital Services Act would, among other things, require major technology companies to aggressively police content and further limit advertising. For example, the law would require companies to remove content considered illegal in the country where it is viewed. This would include such things as Holocaust denials in Germany and racist postings in France. It would also allow Europeans to more easily opt out of targeted advertising and prohibit advertising targeted at children.
Christel Schaldemose, the lawmaker from Denmark who led negotiations on the bill, opined that "[w]ith the [Digital Services Act] we are going to take a stand against the Wild West the digital world has turned into . . . ."
The debate by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union on the final language is expected to take months. The law may serve as a model for the U.S. Congress where many members are also considering legislation to tighten control of digital practices.
The proposed Digital Services Act would, among other things, require major technology companies to aggressively police content and further limit advertising. For example, the law would require companies to remove content considered illegal in the country where it is viewed. This would include such things as Holocaust denials in Germany and racist postings in France. It would also allow Europeans to more easily opt out of targeted advertising and prohibit advertising targeted at children.
Christel Schaldemose, the lawmaker from Denmark who led negotiations on the bill, opined that "[w]ith the [Digital Services Act] we are going to take a stand against the Wild West the digital world has turned into . . . ."
The debate by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union on the final language is expected to take months. The law may serve as a model for the U.S. Congress where many members are also considering legislation to tighten control of digital practices.
