DSA From The European Union To Be Published Soon To Force Social Media Companies To Be More Active In Monitoring Content

JAKARTA - An agreement between EU countries and EU lawmakers that would require tech giants to do more to oversee content on their platforms could be agreed next month. This statement came from the EU's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, on Monday, March 28.

Vestager proposed Digital Service Acts (DSA) that would force tech giants to do more to tackle illegal content or risk a fine of up to 6% of their global turnover. This bill was proposed, more than a year ago.

EU states and EU lawmakers are now discussing the details of the bill, with debate over the definition of an online marketplace subject to rules and criteria for banning targeted advertising.

“There is a very strong momentum to get things done. And the leadership of the French presidency allowed us to finalize the Digital Services Act before the end of April. But if we work hard, and we're lucky, it's possible," Vestager told Reuters in an interview.

Vestager last week got the green light from EU countries and EU lawmakers for another important proposal, called the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These regulations, target Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

The DMA establishes a do-and-no-do list and gives companies designated as online gatekeepers, who control access and data on their platforms, six months to comply with the rules. Business, however, said it was too short for such complex legislation.

Vestager said there would be no extension as the company is aware of what constitutes anti-competitive practices.

"Well, actually I think, we are in our job and the company should be very happy that we have six months because that is one of the things that was discussed intensively during the negotiations," he said.

"And since prohibitions and obligations are things that come from established case law, I don't think any of them are a big surprise," Vestager added.

Asked whether the DMA will cover non-US tech giants? "It's possible but I don't know," said Vestager. Observer said booking.com and Alibaba may be included in the new rules. Both are also said to have started to master international networks in their respective businesses.