The Digital Services Act Explained (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798271804281)

Navigating the future of the internet requires a new rulebook, and the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) is exactly that. This guide provides a clear and practical explanation of the EU's landmark regulation, designed to create a safer and more transparent online environment. Moving beyond the outdated E-Commerce Directive of 2000, the DSA establishes a modern framework that directly impacts how digital products are designed, content is moderated, and users are treated. It's an essential roadmap for anyone building, managing, or operating digital services for users in the European Union.

At the heart of the DSA is a proportionate, tiered system of obligations, a core principle this book mirrors in its structure. It breaks down the complex law into a "pyramid of responsibility," starting with the foundational rules that apply to all intermediary services, such as internet providers and hosting services. From there, it builds layer upon layer, detailing the additional responsibilities for online platforms like social networks and marketplaces, and culminating in the strictest rules reserved for the internet's giants-the Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Search Engines (VLOSEs). This approach allows you to quickly identify where your service fits and understand the specific obligations that apply to you.

This book translates dense legal requirements into actionable insights for non-lawyers. It offers in-depth explanations of the DSA's most critical operational mandates, including how to implement compliant "notice and action" systems for illegal content, establish fair internal complaint-handling systems for users, and design user interfaces that avoid manipulative "dark patterns." It also demystifies the new standards for advertising transparency, the traceability of sellers on online marketplaces, and the obligation to explain the logic behind recommender systems, providing practical guidance for engineers, product managers, and business leaders.

For those operating at the highest level, this guide unpacks the demanding regime for VLOPs and VLOSEs. It details the requirements for conducting annual systemic risk assessments, implementing mitigation measures, undergoing independent audits, and providing unprecedented data access to regulators and vetted researchers. By focusing on the "what, why, and how" of the regulation, this book equips professionals across the tech industry with the essential knowledge needed to navigate this new era of digital accountability and build compliant, trustworthy services with confidence.