Reform of the EU liability regime for online intermediaries: Background on the forthcoming digital services act

Uitgebreide analyse 30-04-2020

The European Union is expected to revise the liability regime for online intermediaries in the forthcoming digital services act. This publication describes the current liability regime set out under the 2000 E commerce Directive, highlights the implementation gaps that have been identified, and presents the main proposals for reform that have been discussed so far. Technology has evolved in the last 20 years and new societal challenges, such as the increasing use of platforms to access and distribute products, services and information have arisen. As a result, policy-makers will have to address a range of questions, including the extension of the scope of the liability regime and the revision of the liability exemption conditions.