In News Alphabet (GOOGL.O) unit Google, Meta (FB.O) and other large online platforms will have to do more to tackle illegal content or risk hefty fines under new internet rules agreed between European Union countries and EU lawmakers.
Digital Services Act
- The act could force Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft to change their core business practices in Europe. .
- Europe has made clear that they cannot act as independent digital islands.
- Under the DSA, the companies face fines up to 6% of their global turnover for violating the rules while repeated breaches could see them banned from doing business in the EU.
- The new rules ban targeted advertising aimed at children or based on sensitive data such as religion, gender, race and political opinions.
- Dark patterns, which are tactics that mislead people into giving personal data to companies online, will also be prohibited.
- Very large online platforms and online search engines will be required to take specific measures during a crisis.
- The companies could be forced to hand over data related to their algorithms to regulators and researchers.
- The companies also face a yearly fee up to 0.05% of worldwide annual revenue to cover the costs of monitoring their compliance.
- The DSA will be enforced in 2024.
Source-Indian Express
