Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) Thursday adopted the committee’s recommendations on the Digital Services Act. This act comes amongst concerns about user privacy and free speech online.

The Digital Services Act imposes stricter regulations for online internet intermediaries and digital platforms. The rules are aimed to better protect consumers and establish transparency for online platforms. There are different obligations for different online services, including intermediary services, hosting services, online media, and large online platforms. 

As part of its recommendations, the committee called for the right to use and pay for digital services anonymously. The committee also called for a ban on behavioral tracking and advertising. Proposed Article 14 would introduce a stricter time limit of 72 hours for deciding on reported content.

There have been concerns over user privacy and free speech online, associated with the committee’s recommendations. Proposed Article 8 would allow one member state to order the removal of content legally published in another state. However, public authorities will be given the right to order the reinstatement of legal content removed by platforms.

The committee’s recommendations will be considered by the Internal Market (IMCO) Committee, which oversees EU rules on the single market, next week. IMCO plans to finalize the text before the end of 2021.