The Federal Network Agency plans to combat massive platforms.
Starting from mid-May, the Federal Network Agency has been tasked with ensuring compliance of online services with the freshly implemented EU regulations against hate speech and hate crimes. To demonstrate their commitment, the agency has stepped up its approach.
The Federal Network Agency has declared a firm crackdown on rule-breaking by big online platforms. As Muller asserted to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, "If we spot someone acting dangerously or blatantly disregarding the rules, it'll cost them. And we're not afraid of big names."
Since mid-May, the Federal Network Agency is responsible for verifying the conformity of online services to the EU Digital Services Act's (DSA) new directives. These decrees entail things like restricting hate speech and criminal behavior. Online marketplaces must make every effort to eliminate counterfeit items or hazardous toys and give buyers fair warning.
As of August 2023, platforms like Google, Amazon, and YouTube, which belong to large online providers, are legally bound by these rules. The monitoring of online platforms is overseen by the European Union Commission, whereas smaller providers are supervised by Germany's Bundesnetzagentur.
An illustration of a platform now covered by DSA is the online marketplace Kleinanzeigen.de. Muller remarked, "There are many people who've had negative experiences on the internet. They've reported issues with products or content, but their complaints were disregarded, or they fell victim to deception and manipulation." Breaches of the DSA can result in penalties amounting to up to six percent of the company's global annual revenue. Muller described this as a formidable weapon. He assured, "We're making the internet a safer place."
