DSA finally comes into force, the rise of the 'tech ethicist' and Kenyan mods seek settlement
Hello and welcome to Everything in Moderation, your guide to the policies, products, platforms and people shaping the future of online speech and the internet. It's written by me, Ben Whitelaw and supported by members like you.
Welcome to new subscribers from Brinkhof, Identiq, Pasabi, Safety Kit, Storyful, Patreon and elsewhere. Every week, I round up the must-read stories about content moderation, online speech and digital safety to help you and your work. And there's a new Viewpoint Q&A too - read on for more.
If you're one of the thousands of people who read the newsletter every week, consider supporting it by becoming an EiM member for less than $2 a week.
Also happy Digital Services Act day to those who celebrate. Today, almost ten months since it became law (EiM #176), 19 very large online platforms (VLOPs) and search engines (VLOSE) assumed new liabilities for protecting children and preventing election interference. With that in mind, it makes sense to start today's newsletter with the chief cheerleader of the DSA.
Here's everything in moderation from the last seven days — BW
Policies
New and emerging internet policy and online speech regulation
Thierry Breton this week urged the biggest tech platforms to use the incoming Digital Services Act "to reinforce their brand value and reputation as a trustworthy site". In a statement, the EU industry chief (EiM #88 and others) noted that child protection and pro-Russian propaganda would be an enforcement priority for the EU's member state coordinators.
While some platforms continue to fight their VLOP status (EiM #209), a number have this week come out strongly in favour of the DSA and (as you might expect) trumpeted their efforts to comply. Google and Meta were not shy in doing so.
In many ways, it's just the end of the beginning for large platforms; each of them must complete their first annual risk assessment by today and frankly, I'll be surprised if all 19 platforms get it right the first time of asking. One to watch.