Digital Services Act

Question for written answer  E-000058/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Hélène Laporte (ID)

On 15 December, the European Commission published two proposals, one for a Digital Services Act (DSA) and the other for a Digital Market Act (DMA).

The proposal for a DSA, for the regulation of internet content, intends to update the regulatory framework governing electronic commerce, which dates from the year 2000. The Commission wants to make all intermediaries, and particularly the largest platforms, aware of their responsibilities.

The proposal for a DMA, meanwhile, imposes specific constraints, particularly fines, on systemic market operators whose dominance prevents the emergence of competition.

• 1.Will the ‘good Samaritan’ concept introduced by the Commission in the DSA, which allows online intermediaries to take voluntary action against illegal content without being penalised for such good-faith efforts, not lead to the overzealous self-moderation of content?
• 2.Does the Commission believe it credible that the USA would dismantle its flagship companies in the face of Chinese competition from the BATX (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and Xiaomi)?
• 3.Would the DMA, which levies hefty fines for non-compliance with its obligations, not be more effective if it imposed immediate structural sanctions?