New rules for protecting users on the Internet are being prepared

The European Union wants to better protect internet users. To achieve this, it has developed new rules that will allow it to report malicious content, allow users to connect with online platforms to resolve disputes, and more. The report is provided by the European Commission’s portal.

New digital rules to protect users

These rules are rightly referred to as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. They want to make the Internet a safer and more enjoyable place for everyone. Currently, there is widespread harmful and hateful content, the sale of dangerous goods and the like. There is also a survey that says that:

“61% of EU citizens surveyed said they had encountered illegal content on the internet, and 65% said they did not think the internet was safe to use (Eurobarometer survey 2018).”

The protection of personal data and consumer rights on the Internet should also be improved. Platforms are free to remove any content without explaining the reason for their actions. This threatens the fundamental rights to free expression.

“92% of respondents believe that transparency on the part of service providers is important to protect users’ freedom of expression (open public consultation on the Digital Services Act).”

Finally, the transparency of the collection of user information and its sale to third parties (advertising providers) should also be improved. Today, this whole situation is very non-transparent. It will also increase the transparency of algorithms that recommend and push content – there is a suspicion that disinformation creators are manipulating these algorithms.

“70% of respondents believe that misinformation is spread by manipulating algorithmic processes on online platforms (open public consultation on the Digital Services Act).”

What will the Digital Services Act cover?

• An easy and clear way to report illegal content, goods or services on online platforms
• Due diligence obligations for platforms and more stringent obligations for very large platforms where the most serious damage occurs
• Institutions will have better means of protecting citizens as they oversee platforms and jointly enforce rules across the Union
• Platforms must inform users about content removal, and users have the opportunity to challenge the content removal decision
• Users will have access to dispute resolution mechanisms in their country
• Transparent conditions for platforms
• Greater security and better information about the real sellers of the products that users buy
• Stricter obligations for very large online platforms to assess and mitigate the risks of their services to users’ rights (at the level of the whole organization) in cases where restrictions on rights and the risk of rapid distribution of illegal or harmful content on the Internet have the greatest consequences
• Access of validated researchers to platform data to identify risks to society and fundamental rights
• Transparency of content moderation rules
• Meaningful information about advertising, including targeted advertising: who sponsored the ad, how and why it targets a specific user
• Clear information about why users are advised
• The right of users to reject content recommended on the basis of profiling
• Adoption of codes of practice by platforms as a risk mitigation measure
• Better access to data by authorities and researchers to better understand the rapid distribution of content online and its implications, in order to reduce risks to society

Digital Services Act

Here, the European Union is trying to make a choice between online services. Currently, the situation is that certain companies control the entire market and are well domesticated in it. Later, they take advantage of this advantage under unfavorable conditions for the user in the style of “take it or leave it”.

“60% of respondents say that consumers do not have sufficient choices and alternatives when it comes to online platforms (open public consultation on the new instrument and protection of competition).”

What will change with the new Digital Markets Act:

• Prohibition of unfair practices, opening up the possibility for commercial users to offer consumers a wider choice of innovative services
• Better interoperability with services that are an alternative to services offered by guardian platforms
• Easier option for consumers to change platforms if they wish
• Better services and lower prices for consumers