On 17 February 2024, the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU's comprehensive regulatory framework for the digital space, became applicable to all online intermediaries operating within the EU. This landmark legislation is designed to foster a safer, fairer, and more transparent online environment (→ eucrim 4/2022, 228-230). The DSA establishes new obligations for online platforms, thereby ensuring that EU users are safeguarded against the dissemination of illicit goods and content and that their rights are respected when they engage in online interactions, share information, or make purchases.

Since the end of August 2023, the DSA has already applied to 17 Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and two Search Engines (VLOSEs) designated in April 2023 (with more than 45 million monthly users on average → eucrim 1/2023, 14). On 20 December 2023, the Commission designated three other platforms as VLOPs. These three platforms (Pornhub, Stripchat, XVideos) must comply with the more stringent obligations under the DSA until the end of April 2024, but the general DSA obligations apply to them from 18 February 2024 onwards.

The Commission intends to adopt additional guidelines and implementing acts throughout 2024 to further support the DSA's objectives. These include guidelines on risk mitigation measures for electoral processes, a public consultation on the data access delegated act, and the adoption of transparency report templates. These efforts are designed to maintain a robust and coherent regulatory environment that enhances the safety and fairness of the online space for all EU citizens.