New rules for platforms: DSA ensures more transparency and security!

New rules for platforms: DSA ensures more transparency and security!

On March 12, 2025, the annual conference of the digital culture research focus took place on the Berlin campus of the FernUniversität in Hagen, which discussed the central event in the context of the new EU law, the Digital Services Act (DSA). The conference, entitled “A Thousand Platforms,” addressed the profound changes affecting public discourse and digital platforms.

Dr. Thorben Mämecke, scientific director of the research area, pointed out that an internationalization of social media offerings has been observed since 2008, which is referred to as “platformization”. The DSA, enacted in February 2024, recognizes the societal risks of large platforms and establishes a binding regulatory framework.

The Digital Services Act: A new framework for platforms

The DSA applies to all digital platforms in the European internal market, regardless of their location. Special regulations apply to very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large search engines (VLOSEs), which are obliged to identify and analyze risks resulting from their services at least once a year. These risks include, among other things, the spread of illegal content and disinformation as well as endangering the protection of minors.

Platforms are required to explain what measures have been taken to mitigate these risks. Working with independent fact-checkers is seen as efficient in reducing systemic risks. These requirements are particularly relevant with regard to the integrity of elections and civil society discourse. Before introducing new functions with potentially critical impacts, VLOPs must carry out risk assessments and submit them to the EU Commission. The reports from major providers such as Meta and X are publicly available germany.representation.ec.europa.eu reported.

Methodological approaches and social responsibility

The conference also addressed methodological issues regarding the analysis of platform mechanisms. The focus here was on qualitative versus quantitative approaches as well as access to process data. Representatives of non-governmental organizations such as the Society for Freedom Rights also took part in the discussion. An anthology will continue the results and findings of the conference.

Parallel to the conference, the film series “Theory|Apparatus” was launched to address socio-technical phenomena. It opens with the topic of “Hate Speech” and plans to publish a new episode in spring 2025 about the “Internet of Things” (IoT), which deals with the networking of physical objects and their social effects. The premiere of this episode is scheduled for April 16, 2025 as part of the Science Talks of the Faculty of Cultural and Social Sciences.

Finally, Dr. Mämecke said that future developments, such as possible deregulation by Mark Zuckerberg, must continue to be closely monitored. Such dynamic changes in the digital space required constant dialogue and adjustments to regulations to ensure a safe and fair digital environment for users and businesses in the EU.

The EU is working on a comprehensive legal framework that includes the DSA and the Digital Markets Act. Both laws are intended to set guidelines for the digital world and create a safe digital environment europarl.europa.eu highlights. The progress of the last few decades, in which the Internet has profoundly changed the world, requires such an adapted framework to keep pace with rapid technological development.