First look at the Digital Services and Markets Acts

Do they live up to the expectations?

Thursday 16 December (13:30 – 14:45)

On December 15, the European Commission will publish its proposals for the regulation of online platforms: the Digital Services and Markets Acts. This is a key moment, as these rules may significantly change the nature of the ‘Internet’ for decades to come. Join us for a first assessment of the proposals the day after!

Covid-19 again underscored the importance of digital services, both for our economy and society. But they are controlled by a select few online platforms that have great power, but little responsibility. This power concentration is unhealthy as such, but the way it has been exercised has also undermined citizens’ fundamental rights, poisoned our information ecosystem, and suffocated alternative business models.

To respond to these developments, the European Commission will propose measures to curb what systemic online platforms – gatekeepers – can and cannot do, and a set of measures to clarify how platforms, notably social media, should treat online content. Finally, the Commission likely wants new enforcement powers for authorities, so they have the means to effectively constrain big tech when it matters.

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), together with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Fondation Jean-Jaurès, the Fundación Pablo Iglesias, and the Fondazione Pietro Nenni, will present a policy paper, and organise this webinar on the future rules for the governance of online platforms.

During the webinar, we will provide a first, rough assessment of the new proposals, specifically from the angle of democracy and media, together with policy-makers, civil society and academics. Do they live up to the expectations?

Check the programme

Register here