Council agrees position on new digital rules

On 25 November 2021, the Council agreed on a general approach for the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), two key legislative files to help create a safe and open digital space for EU citizens and businesses.

Digital Services Act

The DSA proposal aims to keep EU citizens safe from illegal goods, content or services, and protect their fundamental rights online, following the principle that what is illegal offline should also be illegal online. 

It also defines clear responsibilities and accountability for social media and online marketplaces, and will once adopted provide a modern, future-proof governance framework.

• What is illegal offline should be illegal online: Council agrees position on the Digital Services Act (press release, 25 November 2021)

Digital Markets Act

The DMA proposal aims to create a level playing field for EU businesses by regulating big tech. The proposal aims to ensure a competitive and fair digital sector with a view to promoting innovation, high-quality digital products and services, fair prices, and high quality and choice in the digital sector. 

It is primarily targeted at large online platforms, so-called 'gatekeepers', that control core platform services such as marketplaces, app stores and online search engines.

• Regulating ‘big tech’: Council agrees on enhancing competition in the digital sphere (press release, 25 November 2021)

Next steps

The general approach reached on the acts completes the negotiating position agreed by the Council and provides the Council Presidency with a mandate for further discussions with the European Parliament, which are scheduled for 2022.

More information

• A digital future for Europe (background information)