Berlin, July 04, 2022 - On Tuesday, the EU Parliament will formally vote on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Bitkom Chief Executive Dr. Bernhard Rohleder explains:
"The final adoption of the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act will create a comprehensive digital policy legal framework in Europe and new guiding principles for the use of the internet. The DSA in particular will directly affect many people: In Germany alone, more than 60 million people use the Internet, almost three-quarters of them inform themselves about current events online, and 95 percent make purchases online. Online services and platforms are thus an integral part of our everyday digital life. Bitkom therefore strongly welcomes this new legislative framework as consumers will be better protected online against disinformation, hate speech, and counterfeit products in the future. What is illegal offline must also be illegal online and punished accordingly. The Digital Markets Act will ensure fair competition by creating more freedom of choice between online services and easier market access, especially for small and medium-sized companies, which is essential for driving innovation. Setting the right framework is crucial to promoting the growth of European digital companies in a targeted manner, increasing investments, and preventing the shortage and migration of skilled workers.
Putting the legal framework now into practice will be also key, as only then the newly established rules can achieve their purpose without undermining the potential for innovation of the platform economy. This requires uniform implementation of DMA and DSA in the respective member states. In Germany, the question about the establishment of the digital services coordinator to existing authorities should be clarified quickly. In Bitkom's view, the Federal Network Agency would be the most suitable option. In addition, the relevant national laws - especially the NetzDG - must be revised quickly and comprehensively so that they are not in conflict with the DSA. The German government must respond to the great importance of the DSA and DMA and ensure prompt, clear, and legally secure implementation.
