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NOPE
In Effect Law Online Safety

DSA

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act)

Comprehensive platform regulation with tiered obligations. VLOPs (45M+ EU users) face systemic risk assessments, algorithmic transparency, and independent audits.

Jurisdiction

European Union

Enacted

Nov 16, 2022

Effective

Feb 17, 2024

Enforcement

European Commission (VLOPs); National Digital Services Coordinators

EUR-Lex

Why It Matters

Risk assessments must address negative effects on minors' mental wellbeing. First major enforcement actions demonstrate teeth.

Recent Developments

Dec 5, 2025: €120M fine on X for transparency violations (deceptive blue checkmarks €45M, ad transparency €35M, researcher access €40M). Active proceedings against TikTok, Meta, AliExpress.

At a Glance

Applies to

Social PlatformOnline PlatformRecommender System

Who Must Comply

  • Digital intermediaries (tiered by size)
  • Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs): 45M+ EU monthly users
  • Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs)

Obligations fall on:

Applicability thresholds:

45M EU users/month (VLOP) — Systemic risk assessment, algorithmic transparency, independent audits

Safety Provisions

  • VLOPs must conduct systemic risk assessments including mental health impacts
  • Algorithmic transparency: explain recommender parameters, offer non-profiling option
  • Prohibition on targeted advertising to known minors
  • Researcher data access requirements
  • Independent annual audits

Compliance & Enforcement

Key Dates

Aug 25, 2023

VLOPs and VLOSEs compliance deadline

Feb 17, 2024

Full application to all in-scope platforms

Member state Digital Services Coordinators operational

Penalties

6% revenue

View on map

European Union

Focus Areas

Mental health & crisis
Child safety
Algorithmic accountability
Active safeguards required

Cite This

APA

European Union. (2022). Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act).

Related Regulations

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In Effect SG

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In Effect FR

FR SREN

France's 2024 "digital space" law strengthening national digital regulation and enforcement levers via ARCOM across platform safety and integrity issues.

In Effect MX

MX Safe Digital Environments Decree

Mexican presidential decree, binding nationwide, that prohibits digital platforms from giving children and adolescents access to, exposure to or recommendations of seven listed content categories, including suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, and requires age assurance beyond self-declaration, parental supervision tools, strictest-by-default settings for new accounts, periodic risk assessments and a 24/7 law-enforcement contact point.

In Effect IT

Italy AI Act

First EU member state comprehensive national AI law complementing the EU AI Act. 28 articles covering AI governance principles, sector-specific rules for healthcare, employment, justice, and public administration, criminal provisions, copyright protections, and a EUR 1 billion AI investment fund.

All regulations See what's likely relevant to your deployment

Last updated February 17, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.