The European Union has introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as part of the initiative to regulate a safer digital space. These regulations apply across all EU member states and aim at ensuring that the fundamental rights of all users of digital services are protected, and to establish a level playing field to foster innovation and competitiveness both across and outside of Europe. 

The Digital Services Act envisions rules for online intermediaries and platforms, with specific rules for very large online platforms and search engines. It ensures that illegal content doesn’t propagate online and that digital services are held accountable for their operations. On the other hand, the Digital Markets Act targets gatekeeper online platforms, so large entities that dominate the markets. The DMA aims to create a fairer digital environment by enforcing rules that promote competition and prevent unfair business practices. 

To support the implementation of these regulations, the European Commission conducted impact assessments and public consultations. These include the Impact Assessment of the Proposal for the Digital Services Act, the Impact Assessment of the Proposal for the Digital Markets Act, and the Summary Report on the Open Public Consultation of the Digital Services Act Package. Additionally, the Commission engaged stakeholders through consultations such as the Open Public Consultation on the Digital Services Act Package, the Open Public Consultation on the Competition Tool, and the Inception Impact Assessments on the Digital Services Act and the Ex Ante Tool. 

Digital services are essential for both the citizens’ daily life and for companies, yet significant steps are still needed to achieve the 2030 Digital Decade targets. Concerns include the dominance of a few major platforms and the spread of illegal content and disinformation that the EU is trying to address with this set of regulations.