The Digital Service Act has come into force.

On February 17th, the Digital Service Act (DSA) came into force, marking a significant regulatory response to the contemporary digital market. This framework emphasizes the critical need for transparency and accountability online. Designed to balance innovation and safety, it imposes new obligations on intermediary service providers, such as drafting and disclosing annual content moderation reports and publishing user data. The primary goal is to foster a safer, more inclusive digital environment while preserving the vitality of the digital market. One of the key innovations introduced by the DSA concerns the justification for content removal. Online platforms are now required to notify users of any actions taken to remove or restrict access to their content, providing detailed and transparent explanations. These notifications are then aggregated in the Transparency Database, enabling public evaluation of the moderation policies adopted. This contributes to a better understanding of how platforms operate. In addition to transparency provisions, the DSA also mandates data access for research and requires large digital platforms to undergo annual audits. The goal is to ensure compliance with established regulations while promoting further transparency and accountability in digital operations. Simultaneously, an initiative has been introduced to create a Digital Services Terms and Conditions Database, simplifying user access to contractual agreements. These measures, supported by crowdsourcing to enhance document collection, bring significant benefits to various stakeholders in the digital landscape. Regulators, researchers, and users alike gain from increased awareness and control within the digital environment. The success of the DSA will be pivotal in setting new standards for digital regulation not only in Europe but also globally. The initial implementation phase will be critical in assessing its effectiveness and long-term impact.