Key actors and roles

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 on a single market for digital services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), abbreviated as DSA, defines several roles and the relationships between them:

• Service recipients are natural or legal persons who use an intermediary service, in particular for the purpose of seeking or providing access to information. They are basically online users who use services on online platforms and search engines, but also other services to download, cache or host different types of information.
  Their fundamental role under the DSA is to be able to report illegal content directly to each provider, to request from the provider an explanation for any of the restrictions imposed by the provider because the information is illegal content or incompatible with their terms and conditions of business. Users may also appeal against the reasoning and, if their complaint is unsuccessful, they may also have recourse to certain mechanisms, such as out-of-court dispute resolution.

• Service providers are natural or legal persons who provide intermediary services, such as mere conduit, caching or hosting services. This includes online platforms such as social networks and online marketplaces and, as a separate category, search engines.
  DSAs take responsibility for setting up mechanisms to deal with and act on reports of illegal content, for ensuring transparency of content moderation and for compliance with obligations to protect recipients of services. Very large online platforms and search engines have additional obligations such as regular systemic risk assessments, independent audits and the publication of transparency reports.

• Trusted Whistleblowers are organisations or bodies officially recognised by the Digital Service Coordinator that are important in identifying illegal content due to their expertise and competence.
  They play an important role in reducing illegal content on platforms within the DSAs, as service providers are required to treat their reports and complaints as a priority.

• Verified researchers are independent researchers or research organisations authorised to access data from very large online platforms or search engines. They are granted Verified Researcher status by the Digital Service Coordinator on the basis of an application.
  Their core role within the DSA is to provide independent research and analysis on the impact of platforms on society, such as the spread of illegal content, misinformation or violations of fundamental rights, by accessing data from intermediary service providers. The findings and their research work can help shape better policies and practices.

• Out-of-court dispute resolution bodies are independent and certified bodies that handle user complaints in the event of a dispute with online platforms.
  They provide fast, affordable and impartial dispute resolution between users and platforms. Their decisions are non-binding but offer users an additional option before taking legal action.

• Digital Service Coordinators (DSCs) are national regulatory authorities designated by each Member State to oversee the implementation of the DSA.
  DSCs monitor service providers' compliance with the Regulation, carry out investigations, sanction infringements and cooperate with other Member States and the European Commission on cross-border cases.

• The European Digital Service Board (EDSB) is a specially established body including representatives of the national digital service coordinators and the European Commission.
  Its main role under the DSA is to guide and coordinate the implementation of the DSA at EU level, support cooperation between Member States and issue guidelines and other delegated acts for the implementation of the DSA.

• The Working Groups of the European Digital Services Board (WG 1-8) are specialised groups set up by the EODS to address specific issues or tasks. 8 WGs have been set up in different areas: WG 1 deals with legal issues, WG 2 with general working arrangements, complaints and incident response, WG 3 with content moderation and data access, WG 4 with integrity of the information space, including electoral processes, manipulation of information and disinformation, WG 5 with consumer protection and online marketplaces, WG 6 with the protection of minors, WG 7 with monitoring of injunctions and handling of criminal cases, and WG 8 with IT issues in the context of the DSA's activities.
  The WGs thus develop recommendations, technical guidelines and strategies to address more complex issues.

• National level authorities are government bodies or institutions in individual Member States with responsibilities for enforcing the law and protecting users of digital services.
  Their primary role under the DSAs is to provide support for the enforcement of the DSAs, monitor local compliance, and work together on cross-border dispute resolution and action against illegal content, in addition to the Digital Service Coordinators.