Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act: two ambitious texts aimed at clarifying the regulatory framework for the digital economy
On Tuesday December 15, the European Commission presented two proposals for regulations on digital services, the Digital Services Act (DSA), and digital markets, the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The draft DSA regulation defines the obligations for different types of digital service providers. It aims to improve the security of online users across the EU and strengthen the protection of their fundamental rights. The draft DMA regulation introduces a set of criteria to define platforms that act as gatekeepers in the digital sector. It aims to guarantee the openness of digital services and prevent unfair conditions of competition.
The Commission’s proposals represent a major update in the regulation of digital services and markets. Syntec Numérique welcomes the Commission’s ambition to strengthen the EU’s single market for digital services, and shares the objective of reinforcing security and confidence as well as the conditions for innovation.
The e-commerce directive has made a major contribution to the development of economic activity in Europe, with positive effects on growth, innovation and the development of services, offering new opportunities for businesses, particularly SMEs and ETIs. Syntec Numérique is delighted that the key provisions of the e-commerce directive have been preserved.
Businesses, users and public authorities all have a role to play in ensuring a balance between protecting fundamental rights and combating illegal and harmful online activities. We will also have to be careful that the thresholds introduced by these draft regulations do not risk constraining the growth of companies, in Europe and internationally. Syntec Numérique and its members are ready to contribute to the success of these key initiatives, so that they correspond as closely as possible to the needs and realities of our sector. We will carefully evaluate the Commission’s proposals, and will be sure to contribute to the debates and put forward additional avenues of work in our response to the European Commission’s consultation organized this summer.
The Commission’s second objective is to ensure the proper functioning of competition while promoting the development of the digital economy. Syntec Numérique fully supports a stronger, more competitive Digital Single Market for the benefit of European businesses and consumers alike. To achieve this, the EU and member states will need to ensure that measures are proportionate and that the tools put in place are flexible enough to adapt to the digital economy. We will remain vigilant to ensure that the new legislative framework does not hinder business activity , and that the approach adopted supports a dynamic economy, in which prospects for buying, selling or merging businesses play a part.