Online Platforms
Online platforms are strong drivers of innovation and play an important role in Europe’s digital society and economy. They cover a wide range of activities including online marketplaces, social media, creative content outlets, app stores, price comparison websites, platforms for the collaborative economy as well as search engines. They increase consumer choice, improve efficiency and competitiveness of industry and can enhance civil participation in society.
Online platforms share key characteristics, such as the use of information and communication technologies to facilitate interactions between users, collection and use of data about such interactions, and network effects. These network effects make the use of the platforms with most users most valuable to other users.
Today, 1 million EU businesses are already selling goods and services via online platforms, and more than 50% of small and medium enterprises selling through online marketplaces sell cross-border.
The European Commission’s approach to online platforms focuses on fostering a trusting, lawful and innovation-driven environment in the EU. To this end, the Commission identified key areas of interest in its Communication on Online Platforms. The guiding policy principles are:
- to create and maintain a level playing field for comparable digital services;
- to ensure responsible behaviour of online platforms to protect core values;
- to foster trust, transparency and ensure fairness on online platforms;
- to keep markets open and non-discriminatory to foster a data-driven economy.
The Digital Services Act
The Commission adopted a proposal for a Digital Services Act (DSA) in December 2020. Together with a Digital Markets Act, the DSA will create a safer and more open digital space for all users and ensure a level playing field for businesses.
The DSA has 3 specific goals:
- To protect consumers and their fundamental rights online more effectively;
- To establish a powerful transparency and accountability framework for online platforms;
- To foster innovation, growth and competitiveness within the single market.
EU Regulation on fairness and transparency in online platform-to-business relationship
The Regulation on online platform-to-business relationships puts in place a harmonised framework for minimum transparency and redress rights. It protects companies that depend on online platforms for reaching consumers, while safeguarding the innovation potential of platforms.
The EU observatory on the online platform economy accompanies the Regulation. It monitors and analyses the latest trends and issues in the online platform economy. As a business on an online platform, you can help identify the main issues by sharing your experiences through a dedicated website.
Recommendation on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online
The Commission issued a Recommendation on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online in March 2018. This builds on the Communication on tackling illegal content online of September 2017, translating political commitment into (non-binding) legal form.
Algorithmic transparency
At the request of the European Parliament, the Commission is carrying out an in-depth analysis of algorithmic transparency and accountability. The pilot project will provide an in-depth study of the role of algorithms in the digital economy and society. In particular, how they shape, filter or personalise information flows.
Digital labour platforms
Digital labour platforms create opportunities for businesses, workers and self-employed, as well as improved access to services for consumers. However, new ways of work also come with new challenges. It becomes increasingly difficult to correctly classify the employment status of people, leading in some cases to inadequate labour rights and social protection for some. In addition, the use of algorithms in platform work can raise questions of accountability and transparency.
PRESS RELEASE | 19 September 2024Commission starts first proceedings to specify Apple’s interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets ActThe European Commission has started two specification proceedings to assist Apple in complying with its interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act (âDMA’).
PRESS RELEASE | 16 August 2024Commission sends request for information to Meta under the Digital Services ActThe Commission has sent Meta a request for information (RFI) under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
PRESS RELEASE | 05 August 2024TikTok commits to permanently withdraw TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU to comply with the Digital Services ActThe Commission has made TikTokâs commitments to permanently withdraw TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU binding.
PRESS RELEASE | 31 July 2024Commission launches call for evidence for guidelines on protection of minors online under the Digital Services ActThe European Commission launched a call for evidence to gather feedback for its upcoming guidelines on protection of minors online, which, once adopted, will advise on how online platforms are to implement high levels of privacy, safety and security for minors online, as required by the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Browse Online platforms and e-commerce
Related Content
Big Picture
Online platforms and e-commerce The EU wants to ensure businesses and citizens can use online platforms and e-commerce services no matter where they are in the EU.
Dig deeper
Geo-blockingThe Commission put an end to unjustified geo-blocking rules, which undermine online shopping and cross-border sales in the EU.
Illegal content on online platformsThe European Commission adopted a recommendation on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online.
Platform-to-business trading practicesThe European Commission promotes fairness and transparency for businesses on online platforms.
EU Observatory on the Online Platform EconomyThe EU Observatory on the Online Platform Economy monitors and analyses the online platform economy, supporting the Commission in policy-making.
See Also
e-Commerce rules in the EUThe European Commission breaks down online barriers so that people can enjoy full access to all goods and services offered online by businesses in the EU.
The Digital Services Act packageThe Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act aim to create a safer digital space where the fundamental rights of users are protected and to establish a level playing field for businesses.
Last update
7 June 2022
Print as PDF 7 June 2022
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