Comprendere il Digital Services Act: Obblighi per marketplace e aggregatori nell'UE

If your platform helps people find secondhand jeans, antique swords, freelance designers, or dog yoga instructors—congrats, you may be regulated under the EU’s new Digital Services Act (DSA). Here’s what that means, in human language.

Welcome to the DSA Era

On paper, the Digital Services Act (DSA) sounds like just another thick European regulation designed to be read by robots and lawyers. In reality, it’s a sweeping legal framework that’s poised to change how digital platforms—especially marketplaces and aggregators—operate across the European Union.

Coming into full force in 2024, the DSA is the EU’s attempt to tame the Wild West of the internet. And while it covers everything from illegal memes to algorithmic transparency, for marketplaces and aggregators, it’s a legal earthquake.

What Exactly Is the DSA?

The DSA is part of a regulatory duo with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Its goal is to create a safer, more transparent internet. The EU is essentially telling platforms: “If you’re going to run a digital town square, keep it clean and follow the rules.”

Main goals:

Tackle illegal content and dangerous products
Ensure transparency in advertising and recommendations
Assign accountability
Harmonize rules across the EU

Who’s Affected?

The DSA applies to all intermediary services operating in the EU—from hosting to online platforms. Two categories under special scrutiny:
1. Online marketplaces (Amazon, Etsy, Vinted, etc.)
2. Aggregators (price comparison sites, service platforms, booking engines)

Obligations: From Light Touch to Heavy Lifting

Basic obligations (for everyone):
– Appoint an EU representative
– Provide contact information
– Ban illegal content in terms of service
– Cooperate with authorities

Hosting services:
– Implement notice-and-action systems
– Notify users about content takedowns
– Publish moderation reports every six months

Online platforms:
– Explain recommendation systems
– Allow users to turn off personalization
– Clearly label ads
– Disclose the actual seller behind listings

Extra Requirements for Marketplaces

Know Your Business Customer (KYBC)
Collect trader name, address, ID, bank details
Quickly remove unsafe products
Notify affected customers

Example: If someone sold explosive chargers, you’re expected to track down buyers and alert them.

Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs)

Platforms with 45M+ EU users are considered VLOPs and must:

Assess systemic risks
Undergo annual audits
Increase algorithm transparency
Appoint DSA compliance officers

What If I Ignore It?

Fines can reach up to 6% of global turnover. That’s not a slap on the wrist—it’s a strategic risk.
Other measures include temporary bans, forced changes, and public naming-and-shaming.

What Should Marketplaces and Aggregators Do Now?

Map your role: hosting, platform, VLOP?
Implement KYBC for onboarding
Update terms of service
Imposta sistemi di moderazione e ricorso
Algoritmi di raccomandazione di documenti

Idee Sbagliate Comuni

Fraintendimento: “Siamo al di fuori dell'UE, quindi non si applica.”
Realtà: Se offri servizi a utenti dell'UE, si applica.

Fraintendimento: “Noi non vendiamo, ci limitiamo ad aggregare.”
Realtà: Influenzi ancora le decisioni di acquisto.

Fraintendimento: “Solo i giganti sono interessati.”
Realtà: La maggior parte delle regole si applicano in senso lato.

Conclusione: Il prezzo dell'ammissione digitale

Il DSA non è qui per soffocare l'innovazione, ma per garantire la responsabilità. Per i marketplace e gli aggregatori, è una sfida e un'opportunità.

Internet è cresciuto. L'UE vuole che si vesta come un adulto. Forse non indosserà una cravatta, ma almeno si metterà dentro la camicia.