The digital services act: an analysis of its ethical, legal, and social implications. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turillazzi, Aina; Taddeo, Mariarosaria; Floridi, Luciano; Casolari, Federico
• Is Part Of: Law, innovation and technology. Volume 15:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Competition law -- Digital Services Act -- Ethics -- European Commission -- Fundamental rights -- Online platforms; Technological innovations -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Intellectual property -- Periodicals; 338.064
• DOI: 10.1080/17579961.2023.2184136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-997X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In December 2020, the European Commission issued the Digital Services Act (DSA), a legislative proposal for a single market of digital services, focusing on fundamental rights, data privacy, and the protection of stakeholders. The DSA seeks to promote European digital sovereignty, among other goals. This article reviews the literature and related documents on the DSA to map and evaluate its ethical, legal, and social implications. It examines four macro-areas of interest regarding the digital services offered by online platforms. The analysis concludes that, so far, the DSA has led to contrasting interpretations, ranging from stakeholders expecting it to be more challenging for gatekeepers, to others objecting that the proposed obligations are unjustified. The article contributes to this debate by arguing that a more robust framework for the benefit of all stakeholders should be defined.