Bits of Freedom launches campaign on DSA user rights

Digital Services Act into force

On 17 February, the Digital Services Act (DSA) came officially into force. This is a significant milestone for all EDRi members who have worked hard on this topic in the past years and for platform users all over the European Union, whose rights are better protected now.

Thanks to EDRi members’ policy and advocacy efforts to bring better human rights safeguards into the law, there are now many ways that the DSA improves digital rights. In light of this, Bits of Freedom is excited to unveil their new DSA end-user rights website and campaign.

Learn your platform rights

EDRi member Bits of Freedom wants the DSA to really change people’s online experience. The law contains all kinds of rules that improve people’s online experience, but some of those rules end-users have to enforce themselves. That is why Bits of Freedom felt it was important to make people aware of their new rights, and explain how to use them. 

Therefore, the organisation launched their DSA-focused website, available in both English and Dutch. On this website, Bits of Freedom delves into the core issues for end-users addressed by the DSA, emphasising actionable solutions. It explains digital rights issues such as freedom of choice, content moderation and transparency. This is done in an engaging way by showing animations that highlight the annoying practices of Big Tech. 

The website provides an overview of the new DSA rules that empower end-users, providing practical guidance on leveraging their rights. For example, it explains that very large online platforms must now offer an alternative recommender system that is not based on profiling, and shows how to enable this on certain social media platforms. It also explains where to find new transparency options and what options and rights are available in case of content moderation. The website can be found at www.yourplatformrights.eu.

Bits of Freedom encourages all EDRi members and followers to take a look because anyone with any kind of online presence can benefit from the DSA.

Take action now: Stay Loud

Along with the website, Bits of Freedom have launched their Stay Loud (Blijf Luid) campaign.

Every day, online platforms reduce the reach of critical voices, by (shadow)banning accounts, decreasing visibility of posts or demonetising accounts. Therefore, Bits of Freedom particularly wants to make civil society alert to the new opportunities to counterbalance large online platforms.

They aim to direct civil society and activists to their new website. Bits of Freedom recognises the importance of ensuring that critical voices can fully exercise their new rights under the DSA, as their perspectives should be amplified. To this end, Bits of Freedom has drafted a manifesto, signed by prominent (Dutch) activists and organisations: 

You have a critical voice, an important story, a different perspective, and through online platforms you can reach a lot of people, spread your message, and initiate change. But those same platforms are powerful corporations, inaccessible and intransparent, hiding behind their algorithms, determining who gets heard and who is not heard. It’s time to claim your space. With new European rules, that help you tell your message, more freely and autonomously. Make sure your voice stays heard online.

In the coming weeks, Bits of Freedom will share campaign materials with signatories to help spread awareness among their respective audiences. Check out the Your Platform Rights website to stay up to date.

Additionally, banners on tracking-free websites and flyers have been distributed at activist hubs throughout the Netherlands.

Contirbution by: Lotje Beek, Policy Advisor, ERDi member, Bits of Freedom