EU Digital Services Act and Regulation

Question

Asked by

To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the European Union in relation to (1) alignment with the EU Digital Services Act, and (2) greater co-operation on digital services regulation.

The Government regularly engage with the EU on digital policy, including direct discussions on the Digital Services Act, which like the UK’s Online Safety Act requires companies to take proportionate steps to protect users online. While the UK has taken its own regulatory approach, we co-operate with the EU where it supports UK citizens and businesses. The new EU-UK digital dialogue will deepen co-operation on shared challenges, including AI and online child safety.

I thank the Minister for her response. There would be several economic, regulatory and strategic benefits if the UK were to be part of the EU’s Digital Services Act. Scale matters when it comes to dealing with the powerful global tech companies, and it is quite clear from the US’s AI action plan that it will not limit their powers. The DSA is likely to become a global standard, like GDPR, so can the Minister confirm that this Government will include it as a matter of urgency on the agenda of ongoing reset discussions with the EU, with a view to becoming a member?

We have reset our relations with European partners, improving diplomatic, economic and security co-operation, and we are committed to playing a role in shaping an open, trusted digital future with the EU and other partners. We have the Online Safety Act here. We have announced consultations on future measures, including on children’s well-being, and the EU’s digital omnibus is looking at lots of other aspects of reform. Our new UK-EU digital dialogue, announced as part of the reset, will provide a structured forum for ongoing engagement on digital policy.

My Lords, the EU’s digital governance for online platforms relies on certain basic principles—they should operate transparently, responsibly and in alignment with legal standards. That is a formal basis on which we should operate too. Instead of having new laws that align with the EU, why do we not simply codify the laws that we currently have and make them applicable to these new areas, which are innovative and ever developing?

We have the Online Safety Act, which is enforced by Ofcom and other regulators and, as the noble Lord will know, we announced a consultation just recently on areas that we may seek to expand or take further measures on to enhance children’s well-being.

My Lords, does the Minister accept that, as part of this dialogue, close co-operation on robust competition enforcement is essential to resist growing US pressure to weaken digital rules? As the EU actively enforces its Digital Markets Act, will the Government commit to aligning in practice with strong EU enforcement standards rather than allowing US corporate lobbying to dilute the UK’s digital markets competition regime?

The UK has taken decisive action to strengthen competition and fairness in digital markets. In January 2025, Parliament equipped the CMA with new powers to boost competition and innovation in digital markets. In May, the Government issued a clear steer to the CMA to prioritise this work and align action with international jurisdictions, including the EU. The UK and CMA engage regularly with EU counterparts as both regimes begin operation to help maintain close alignment on emerging issues.

My Lords, the EU already has AI legislation. Do the Government intend to bring forward their own legislation on AI and how to regulate it?

Our approach is to have regulators who are sector-specific and have the expertise to look at how AI is affecting the companies they regulate and its impact.

My Lords, many digital harms such as disinformation and illegal or fraudulent content operate across borders. In that light, can the Minister enlarge on the practical measures the Government are pursuing with the European Union to assure effective cross-border enforcement of our respective digital regulations, particularly with respect to Ofcom’s work with those responsible for enforcing the Digital Services Act?

Ofcom and the EU have an agreement and talk frequently about regulatory co-operation. Ofcom is also a member of a global network of regulators, so it can share best practice and welcome further co-operation.