The European Union is expanding its efforts to regulate online platforms in order to combat toxic social media content and unsafe ecommerce products. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which initially targeted the largest online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Amazon, and Wikipedia, is now being extended to include almost all online platforms, marketplaces, and intermediaries within the 27-nation bloc.

The DSA sets forth stringent requirements aimed at ensuring the safety of internet users. These requirements include facilitating the reporting of counterfeit or unsafe goods, flagging harmful or illegal content like hate speech, and prohibiting ads targeted at children. With the new extension, the regulations will now encompass thousands more websites, including popular platforms like eBay and OnlyFans, which were previously exempt from extra scrutiny.

The DSA also focuses on transparency in digital advertising. Platforms will be obligated to provide users with information about why they are being shown specific advertisements and who paid for them. Furthermore, ads cannot target users based on sensitive data, such as political or religious beliefs and sexual preferences. The act also mandates that platforms explain their content moderation decisions and provide users with explanations for why their posts were taken down or their accounts suspended.

European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager expressed her satisfaction with the expansion of the DSA, stating that "users, Member States, and platforms can now use the tools under the DSA to shape a safer and more transparent online world." Vestager emphasized that this milestone reflects the EU's commitment to its fundamental values and principles.

The EU has already taken action to enforce the DSA. Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is currently under investigation for potential violations of the act. The EU is scrutinizing X's efforts to curb the spread of illegal content, among other provisions outlined in the DSA.

As the EU expands its digital rulebook, it aims to create a safer and more accountable online environment for its citizens. By imposing strict regulations on online platforms and intermediaries, the EU seeks to protect users from harmful content and ensure transparency in digital advertising practices.