Some UK businesses may be “cautiously optimistic” about the upcoming Digital Services Act (DSA), but almost all of them are also worried about the implications for their operations.
This is according to a new report from online content moderation firm Besedo, which surveyed 200 businesses on the upcoming changes.
The DSA is a new set of rules and regulations submitted to the European Council and the European Parliament in late 2020. The goal is to create a safer digital space, but will “involve a significant overhaul of businesses’ current responsibilities,” Besedo claims. The new regulation is still awaiting approval by both institutions.
Even in this early stage, UK businesses are concerned about the measures required to remain compliant, as well as cost. They are also worried about the possible implications of non-compliance for their brand image.
And that’s only among organizations that know what DSA is to begin with. The report found that while 87 percent of big businesses describe the DSA as “a wide spanning act to create a safer digital space, affecting multiple platforms,” this is true for just 40 percent of small businesses.
Besedo says this proves small businesses aren’t “fully congizant” of how much they’ll be affected by the DSA.
“With the pandemic driving more consumers to use online platforms to shop, date and connect in a socially distanced world, the opportunity for fraudulent, harmful and upsetting content has increased,” said Petter Nylander, CEO of Besedo.
“There’s no hiding from the fact this regulation will significantly impact how businesses operate online. The DSA will force businesses to change the way they approach content moderation to protect users against dangerous and fraudulent activity.”
