Tech Policy Press: Digital Services Act Roundup: February – March 2024

By Jordi Calvet-Bademunt

Overview: The Digital Services Act (DSA), Europe’s online safety rulebook, finally became applicable to all companies on February 17, 2024. Until then, it only applied to the so-called very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSEs). February 17th was also the date EU Member States were required to designate the national DSA regulators, called Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs). The DSCs are in charge of enforcing the DSA along with the European Commission. Around ten Member States had yet to designate a DSC by the end of March.

The European Commission also ramped up enforcement during February and March, opening two formal proceedings against TikTok and AliExpress and issuing requests for information, including on generative AI, to several companies. In addition, Ireland, one of the countries with a DSC in place, contacted several companies to ask for information regarding DSA compliance. Finally, in March, the European Commission issued its “Guidelines for providers of VLOPs and VLOSEs on mitigating systemic risks for electoral processes” ahead of the European elections in June 2024.