From 1bbd50ff7d6470c6622ff508cfdf672c01376e0e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Nick Feamster Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:18:15 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] amend transparency activity --- docs/activities/transparency.md | 36 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 35 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/activities/transparency.md b/docs/activities/transparency.md index 1b739cc..2dea857 100644 --- a/docs/activities/transparency.md +++ b/docs/activities/transparency.md @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ reports of a number of companies and organizations to determine what the reveal, and what information you'd perhaps like to know more about but the reports do not disclose. -## Part 1: Transparency Reports +## Part 1.1: Transparency Reports Read the transparency reports for two of the following companies, and (if you have time), find one more that is not listed: @@ -44,6 +44,40 @@ takedown notices, removal of content, censorship, etc.). Try to focus your attention on those portions of the reports. We have linked a few of these sections above specifically for your convenience. +## Part 1.2: The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) + +The European Union has recently passed a new regulation called the Digital +Services Act (DSA). This regulation requires large online platforms to publish +transparency reports that provide detailed information about their content +moderation practices. In this related part of the activity, you will explore +some of the information that platforms do (and do not) make available as part +of their obligations under the DSA. + +The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a landmark European regulation that became +effective in February 2024, with some obligations applied to Very Large Online +Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) starting in +August 2023. It aims to make the digital world safer by ensuring that what is +illegal offline is also illegal online, holding intermediaries accountable. +The DSA imposes various transparency and content moderation requirements, +especially on VLOPs, which are platforms with over 45 million monthly users in +the EU. + +One of the key obligations under the DSA is for VLOPs to publish a +Transparency Database where they must provide public access to their content +moderation decisions, known as "Statements of Reasons" (SoRs). These +statements must include detailed information on the decision-making process, +including whether it was automated and on what legal grounds, as well as +pathways for appeal. Furthermore, the DSA allows vetted researchers to access +platform data to study systemic risks, such as online gender-based violence. + +### Key Resources: +- **List of VLOPs and VLOSEs**: + [Link](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/list-designated-vlops-and-vloses) +- **Transparency Database**: + [Link](https://transparency.dsa.ec.europa.eu/statement) +- **DSA Text (Legal Document)**: + [Link](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj) + ## Part 2: Reflection Think about the following questions: