Digital Services Act (DSA)
If you operate online platforms, marketplaces, social media, hosting services, or search engines serving EU users, DSA requires transparent content moderation, user protection measures, and systemic risk management for the largest platforms.
DSA in Plain English
The Digital Services Act is the EU's law for online platforms and digital services. It says if you run a website, app, or service where users can post content or interact, you must moderate illegal content, be transparent about how you operate, and protect users' fundamental rights.
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Start Here - Pick What Fits You Best
Choose your path based on your platform type and user size
Quick Assessment
Check if DSA applies to your service and what you need to do
Browse DSA Articles
Read all 93 DSA articles with highlights and notes
Platform Check
Determine your service category and compliance requirements
Content Policy Kit
Create community guidelines and terms of service
Transparency Reporting
Generate annual transparency reports with new 2025 templates
VLOP Risk Assessment
Comprehensive risk analysis for large platforms (45M+ users)
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Your 8-Step Path to DSA Compliance
Follow these steps to achieve full compliance. Each step builds on the previous one, creating a comprehensive compliance program.
1. Determine Your Service Category
Identify which type of digital service you provide and what obligations apply
Key Actions
- Check if you're an intermediary service (hosting, caching, mere conduit)
- Determine if you qualify as an online platform
- Calculate monthly active users in the EU
- Check if you're a Very Large Online Platform (45M+ EU users)
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2. Set Up Notice-and-Action System
Create mechanisms for users to report illegal content and for you to respond
Key Actions
- Implement easy-to-use reporting mechanisms
- Create clear content policies and community guidelines
- Set up processes to review and act on reports
- Establish appeals and counter-notification procedures
Available Tools
Real Examples
3. Implement Transparency Requirements
Provide clear information about your content moderation and recommendation systems
Key Actions
- Create transparency reports on content moderation
- Publish clear terms of service
- Explain how recommendation algorithms work
- Document content moderation decisions with statements of reasons
Available Tools
Real Examples
4. Conduct Systemic Risk Assessment (VLOPs only)
Identify and assess risks your platform poses to society and fundamental rights
Key Actions
- Assess risks to fundamental rights and freedoms
- Evaluate spread of illegal content and disinformation
- Analyze impact on democratic processes and public security
- Review effects on protection of minors and mental health
Available Tools
Real Examples
5. Implement Risk Mitigation Measures (VLOPs only)
Put in place measures to address identified systemic risks
Key Actions
- Modify recommendation systems to reduce harmful content amplification
- Implement stronger content moderation for high-risk content
- Add safeguards for democratic processes during elections
- Enhance protections for minors and vulnerable users
Available Tools
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6. Undergo External Auditing (VLOPs only)
Have independent auditors review your risk assessments and mitigation measures
Key Actions
- Select qualified independent auditors
- Provide access to necessary data and documentation
- Address audit findings and recommendations
- Submit audit reports to the European Commission
Available Tools
Real Examples
7. Provide Data Access to Researchers (VLOPs only)
Grant qualified researchers access to platform data for studying systemic risks
Key Actions
- Establish data access procedures for qualified researchers
- Implement privacy-preserving data sharing mechanisms
- Respond to research data requests within specified timeframes
- Maintain records of data access and research activities
Available Tools
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8. Maintain Ongoing Compliance
Continuously monitor and improve your DSA compliance program
Key Actions
- Monitor content moderation effectiveness
- Update risk assessments regularly
- Submit required transparency reports
- Respond to regulatory requests and investigations
Available Tools
Real Examples
What DSA Actually Requires You to Do
Content Moderation
Remove illegal content and provide clear policies
- • Notice-and-action mechanisms
- • Clear community guidelines
- • Statements of reasons for decisions
Transparency Reporting
Publish regular reports on content moderation activities
- • Annual transparency reports
- • Content removal statistics
- • Automated moderation accuracy
Risk Management (VLOPs)
Assess and mitigate systemic risks to society
- • Annual risk assessments
- • Mitigation measures
- • Independent auditing
User Protection
Protect users, especially minors, from harmful content
- • Age verification systems
- • Parental controls
- • Mental health safeguards
Data Access (VLOPs)
Provide data access to researchers and authorities
- • Researcher data sharing
- • Regulatory cooperation
- • Privacy-preserving methods
Algorithm Accountability
Explain how recommendation systems work
- • Algorithm transparency
- • User control options
- • Bias assessment and mitigation
Sponsored Content
Free DSA Compliance Tools
Gap Analysis Tool
Assess your current DSA compliance status
Platform Checker
Check if DSA applies to your digital service
Content Policy Templates
Community guidelines and terms of service templates
Transparency Report Builder
Generate annual transparency reports with standardized templates
Risk Assessment Tool
Assess systemic risks for VLOPs and VLOSEs
User Control Systems
Implement user choice and control mechanisms
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Common DSA Questions
What types of services does DSA cover?
DSA has a tiered approach covering different types of digital services:
- Intermediary services: Hosting, caching, internet access providers
- Online platforms: Social media, marketplaces, app stores, travel booking
- Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs): Platforms with 45M+ monthly EU users
- Search engines: Including Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs)
What counts as illegal content under DSA?
DSA doesn't define illegal content - it refers to existing EU and national laws:
- Content that violates EU criminal law (terrorism, child exploitation)
- Content that violates national laws (hate speech, defamation)
- Intellectual property violations (copyright infringement)
- Consumer protection violations (fraudulent products, false advertising)
What are the main differences between platform tiers?
DSA obligations increase based on platform size and impact:
- All platforms: Notice-and-action, transparency, illegal content removal
- Online platforms: Additional user protection measures, appeals processes
- VLOPs/VLOSEs: Risk assessments, mitigation measures, external audits, researcher access
How does DSA affect recommendation algorithms?
DSA requires transparency and user control over algorithmic systems:
- Platforms must explain how recommendations work in plain language
- Users must have options to modify or disable personalized recommendations
- VLOPs must assess risks from their algorithmic amplification
- Algorithm design changes may be required to mitigate identified risks
What about freedom of expression concerns?
DSA aims to balance content moderation with fundamental rights protection:
- Platforms must consider fundamental rights in all moderation decisions
- Users have right to appeal content moderation decisions
- Independent dispute resolution mechanisms required
- Over-removal of legal content should be avoided
How does DSA enforcement work?
DSA enforcement varies based on platform size:
- National authorities supervise smaller platforms and services
- European Commission directly supervises VLOPs and VLOSEs
- Fines up to 6% of global annual turnover for violations
- Repeated violations can lead to EU market bans
Ready to Get DSA Compliant?
DSA has been fully operational since February 2024. If you serve EU users, compliance is mandatory now.