Digital Services Regulation: Arcom and the European Commission strengthen their operational cooperation

Roch-Olivier Maistre, President of Arcom, and Roberto Viola, Director General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology at the European Commission, today signed a cooperation agreement strengthening the operational links between their institutions for the regulation of online platforms.

With the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the recent terrorist attacks in France and Belgium, the online diffusion of hate content and disinformation has increased. These events and their repercussions underline and strengthen the urgency of implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA) to best protect European citizens in the digital environment.

The cooperation agreement signed today will strengthen the effectiveness and relevance of supervision of compliance by major online platforms (such as social networks) and search engines with their obligations under the DSA from August 25, 2023. It will also facilitate the European Commission's investigations into cases of potential non-compliance with the regulation.

To this end, the agreement streamlines the exchange of information and analyses between Arcom and the European Commission. In particular, Arcom will contribute its specific findings and expertise concerning the actions of major online platforms in the French context.

The first concrete illustration of this strengthening cooperation is the sharing with the European Commission, as of now, of the initial findings gathered by Arcom, in conjunction with administrative authorities and civil society players, on the moderation of content linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Concluded for a renewable one-year period, the agreement applies immediately. In particular, it covers the period leading up to the official appointment of the coordinator for digital services in France[1], scheduled for February 17, 2024. It may subsequently be amended on the basis of experience gained and in line with developments in priorities.

"The regulation on digital services is an opportunity for our continent, paving the way for new regulation in the digital space, respectful of our individual freedoms and more protective of European citizens. With the signing of this protocol, Arcom is delighted to be taking a further step forward in its cooperation with the Commission to implement this seminal text", declared Roch-Olivier Maistre.

[1] The draft legislation aimed at securing and regulating the digital space makes provision for Arcom to take on this role for France.