Title

The 2nd Digital Services Act Conference

You can watch all session replays below or on our YouTube Channel.

Event Overview

On 15 December 2020, the European Commission released its Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) proposals. The DSA seeks to establish new rules for the digital economy, to clarify the liability regime, and to provide additional consumer and citizen protections. Alongside this, the DMA seeks to introduce new ex-ante regulations on “gatekeeper” platforms, aiming to open up the playing field for further competition and innovation within Europe’s single market.

The second edition of this conference, delivered once again online, will gather more than 1500 stakeholders to discuss the proposals and will cover liability around content and goods, emerging competition rules, and the future of advertising online.

Registration is now open and FREE OF CHARGE.

Topics of Discussion:

policy

Online content and whether the updated liability regime is fit for purpose;

ads

Protecting consumers from counterfeit goods on online marketplaces;

ex ante

The proposed DMA and whether the ex-ante regulations and definitions of “gatekeeper” platforms are sufficient;

digital icon

Targeted advertising and transparency: giving more control to users.

Speakers

Cédric O

Cédric O*

Secretary of State for the Digital Transition and Electronic Communications

Republic of France

*Pre-recorded intervention

Mona Keijzer

Mona Keijzer

State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy,

Government of the Netherlands

Marek Zagórski

Marek Zagórski*

Minister of Digital Affairs

Government of Poland

*Pre-recorded intervention

Christel Schaldemose

Christel Schaldemose, MEP

Rapporteur for the DSA Initiative, IMCO Committee

European Parliament

Gerard de Graaf

Gerard de Graaf

Director for the Digital Transformation, DG CONNECT

European Commission

Werner Stengg

Werner Stengg

Cabinet Expert for Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager

European Commission

Prabhat Agarwal

Prabhat Agarwal

Head of Unit, Digital Services and Platforms, DG CONNECT

European Commission

Irene Roche Laguna

Irene Roche Laguna

Deputy Head of Unit, Digital Services and Platforms, DG CONNECT

European Commission

Evelyne Gebhardt

Evelyne Gebhardt, MEP

Shadow Rapporteur for the DMA Initiative, IMCO Committee

European Parliament

Guillaume Loriot

Guillaume Loriot

Director, Markets and Cases II, Information, Communication and Media, DG COMP,

European Commission

Tiemo Woelken

Tiemo Wölken, MEP

Rapporteur for the DSA Initiative, JURI Committee

European Parliament

Albert Liu

Albert Liu

Vice President & Deputy General Counsel

Alibaba Group

Armin Jungbluth

Armin Jungbluth

Head of Division - Legal Framework for Digital Services and Media Industry

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany

Edwin van Houten

Edwin van Houten

Director of Consumer Department

Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets

Siada El Ramly

Siada El Ramly

Director-General

DOT Europe

Claire Fernandez

Claire Fernandez

Executive Director

EDRi

Kyle Andeer

Kyle Andeer

Associate General Counsel and Vice President

Apple

Richard Feasey

Richard Feasey

Senior Adviser

CERRE

Dan Michaels

Dan Michaels

Brussels Bureau Chief

Wall Street Journal

Sophie Stalla-Bourdillon

Professor Sophie Stalla-Bourdillon

Professor in Information Technology and Data Governance, University of Southampton, & Senior Privacy Counsel and Legal Engineer, Immuta

Aoife White

Aoife White

Brussels Legal Reporter

Bloomberg News

Paul Adamson

Paul Adamson

Chairman

Forum Europe

Fabienne Weibel

Fabienne Weibel

Associate General Counsel & Head of Public Affairs​

Chanel

Scott Marcus

J. Scott Marcus

Senior Fellow

Bruegel

Christophe Roy

Christophe Roy

Board Chairman

Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT)

Townsend Feehan

Townsend Feehan

CEO

IAB Europe

David Martin

David Martín

Senior Legal Officer and Digital Rights Team Leader

BEUC

Agenda

*** TIMES ARE IN CET ***

09:00 - 09:45

Opening Keynote Session

Mona Keijzer

Mona Keijzer, State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Government of the Netherlands

Cédric O

Cédric O, Secretary of State for the Digital Transition and Electronic Communications, Republic of France

Marek Zagórski

Marek Zagórski, Minister of Digital Affairs, Government of Poland (pre-recorded intervention)

Paul Adamson

Moderator: Paul Adamson, Chairman, Forum Europe

09:45- 11:00

Session One | Responsibility and Online Content: Is the updated regime fit for purpose?

The DSA sets out a new liability regime for online platforms and seeks to establish improved conditions for the creation of a competitive, safe, and innovative single market. It includes new stipulations for online platforms to counter the spread of illegal content through transparency and traceability rules. It also places new obligations on the largest platforms to prevent the misuse of their systems for the protection of free speech and fundamental rights. This session will explore the impact that this new liability regime will have on intermediaries, on the activities of SMEs, and on the user experience. It will debate the extent to which the framework establishes the right conditions to create a fair, safe, innovative and competitive single market for digital services, in particular around content, in Europe.

Dan Michaels

Moderator: Dan Michaels, Brussels Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal

Christel Schaldemose

Christel Schaldemose, MEP, Rapporteur for the DSA Initiative, IMCO Committee, European Parliament

Prabhat Agarwal

Prabhat Agarwal, Head of Unit, Digital Services and Platforms, DG CONNECT, European Commission

Armin Jungbluth

Armin Jungbluth, Head of Division – Legal Framework for Digital Services, Media Industry, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Siada El Ramly

Siada El Ramly, Director-General, DOT Europe

Claire Fernandez

Claire Fernandez, Executive Director, EDRi

11:00- 12:15

Session Two | Online Marketplaces: Promoting trade and protecting consumers

With the goal of further reinforcing integrity and trust in the digital ecosystem, the DSA proposals obligate platforms to make “reasonable efforts” to validate their business customers under the KYBC-principle. Platforms are to retain information about traders to support the tracking down of potential sellers of illegal goods or services and the platform should facilitate compliance with trading obligations to inform consumers and provide appropriate product safety information.

Aoife White

Moderator: Aoife White, Brussels Legal Reporter, Bloomberg News

Werner Stengg

Werner Stengg, Cabinet Expert for Executive Vice President Vestager, European Commission

Albert Liu

Albert Liu, VP & Deputy General Counsel, Alibaba Group

Fabienne Weibel

Fabienne Weibel, Associate General Counsel & Head of Public Affairs, Chanel

Edwin van Houten

Edwin van Houten, Director of Consumer Department, Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets

12:15 - 13:00

Lunch Break

13:00 - 13:15

Keynote Speech

Gerard de Graaf

Gerard de Graaf, Director, Digital Transformation, DG CONNECT, European Commission

13:15 - 14:30

Session 3 | The Digital Markets Act: Do the proposals work?

This session will discuss the scope of the DMA and the criteria by which it qualifies gatekeepers. It will look at the impact the proposed rules will have on competition in Europe, on existing and emergent business models and will look at the extent to which the European Commission, as the enforcement body, will be resourced to provide the advice, consultation supervision and ultimate implementation of the rules in the coming years.

Paul Adamson

Moderator: Paul Adamson, Chairman, Forum Europe & Founder, Encompass

Evelyne Gebhardt

Evelyne Gebhardt, MEP, Shadow Rapporteur for the DMA Initiative, IMCO Committee, European Parliament

Guillaume Loriot

Guillaume Loriot, Director, Markets and Cases II, Information, Communication and Media, DG COMP, European Commission

Kyle Andeer

Kyle Andeer, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Compliance Law, Apple

Richard Feasey

Richard Feasey, Senior Adviser, CERRE

Christophe Roy

Christophe Roy, Chairman of the Board, Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT)

14:30 - 15:45

Session 4 | Online Advertising and User Control: Striking the right balance

Transparency is a recurring principle throughout both the DSA and the DMA, and this is particularly relevant when considering targeted advertisements, which remain an integral part of the business model for many content hosting platforms. The proposals introduce measures concerning increased transparency around recommender algorithms,  ad pricing,  publisher remuneration, and  improved access to performance measuring tools and systems. 

Both the DSA and the DMA will seek to address issues around profiling practices, micro-targeting, personalised and political advertising. What is eventually agreed will have significant consequences for online business models, for competition, the user experience, and freedom of speech and democracy. The Commission also anticipates that greater transparency and user choice will result in a reduction of harmful content online. It is therefore crucial for policymakers to get the rules governing online advertising right to create a framework that mitigates risks while encouraging innovation and competition.

Scott Marcus

Moderator: J. Scott Marcus, Senior Fellow, Bruegel

Tiemo Woelken

Tiemo Wölken, MEP,  JURI Committee, European Parliament

Irene Roche Laguna

Irene Roche Laguna, Deputy Head of Unit, Deputy Head of Unit, Digital Services and Platforms, DG CONNECT, European Commission

Sophie Stalla-Bourdillon

Professor Sophie Stalla-Bourdillon, Professor in Information Technology and Data Governance, University of Southampton, & Senior Privacy Counsel and Legal Engineer, Immuta

Townsend Feehan

Townsend Feehan, CEO, IAB Europe

David Martin

David Martín, Senior Legal Officer and Digital Rights Team Leader, BEUC

Sponsorship Opportunities

To discuss sponsorship and visibility opportunities at the 2nd Digital Services Act Conference, please contact David Kirby on [email protected] / +44 (0) 2920 783 077

  • Exclusive speaking positions | Your organisation can contribute to the discussion on the ‘main stage’
  • Engaging and Interactive format | Engage in a fully immersive and interactive debate with decision makers, businesses and policymakers
  • European and global outreach | Convey your message to a broad and international audience
  • Networking opportunities | The event will feature virtual networking for all interested participants. Private meeting rooms can also be booked.
  • Visibility Opportunities | Ensure maximum visibility through branding on the event website and marketing activities
  • Exhibition and demos area | Showcase your products and solutions or share a position paper with the audience via a digital exhibition booth in the expo area
  • Showcase Sessions | Feature your products and solutions on the conference programme by hosting a live session available to all conference attendees 
Check white

Exclusive speaking positions | Your organisation can contribute to the discussion on the ‘main stage’

Check white

Engaging and Interactive format | Engage in a fully immersive and interactive debate with decision makers, businesses and policymakers

Check white

European and global outreach | Convey your message to a broad and international audience

Check white

Networking opportunities | The event will feature virtual networking for all interested participants. Private meeting rooms can also be booked.

Check white

Visibility Opportunities | Ensure maximum visibility through branding on the event website and marketing activities

Check white

Exhibition and demos area | Showcase your products and solutions or share a position paper with the audience via a digital exhibition booth in the expo area

Check white

Showcase Sessions | Feature your products and solutions on the conference programme by hosting a live session available to all conference attendees 

Sponsors & Partners

Alibab Group
ALIBABA GROUP’S MISSION IS TO MAKE IT EASY TO DO BUSINESS ANYWHERE. We enable businesses to transform the way they market, sell and operate and improve their efficiencies. We provide the technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help merchants, brands and other businesses to leverage the power of new technology to engage with their users and customers and operate in a more efficient way. Our businesses are comprised of core commerce, cloud computing, digital media and entertainment, and innovation initiatives. In addition, Ant Group, an unconsolidated related party, provides payment services and offers financial services for consumers and merchants on our platforms. An ecosystem has developed around our platforms and businesses that consists of consumers, merchants, brands, retailers, third-party service providers, strategic alliance partners and other businesses. The Alibaba ecosystem generated RMB7.3 trillion in GMV in the 12 months ended June 30, 2020, which mainly included GMV transacted through our China retail marketplaces, as well as GMV transacted through our international retail marketplaces and local consumer services. As of June 30, 2020, Alibaba Group had a user reach of over 1 billion global annual active consumers, including 807 million consumers in China and 194 million consumers outside China.
DOT Europe
Founded in the year 2000 and relaunched in 2020 as DOT Europe, our association has developed in tandem with the rapid evolution of online services. Collectively our members provide Europe’s citizens and businesses with some of the internet’s most popular products, platforms and services. As the voice of the leading internet companies in Europe, DOT Europe prides itself on being a consensus based organisation which brings a diverse membership together to agree on their collective stance on EU tech policy. Put simply, DOT Europe stands for an innovative, open and safe internet for Europe’s citizens and businesses. Note: Dot Europe was previously known as EDiMA or the European Digital Media Association. Our Vision Our members are committed to helping to shape the internet economy for the better. Through DOT Europe, they engage in support of an innovative, open and safe internet. Our Mission Our mission is to develop ideas and support policy initiatives that foster an innovative, open and safe internet for Europe’s citizens and businesses. As DOT Europe, we engage with EU policymakers, regulators, other stakeholders and the media. Our goal is to ensure that relevant policy debates are informed by the shared knowledge and expertise of our members and our team.
Media Partner
Encompass is an online magazine delivering comment, opinion and analysis on the affairs of the European Union and Europe’s place in the world. We aim to demystify the complexity of the EU and to be lively and provocative. Encompass is also a space with podcast interviews and, through Encompass Live, political and cultural events. As our name indicates we will strive to be open and accessible.

Resources

Press Release on the DSA and the DMA

Published by the Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT)

ACT Perspectives on the Digital Services Act

Position Paper, Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT)

ACT Perspectives on the New Competition Tool

Position Paper, Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT)

ACT: A blueprint for EU Media Policy

Published by the Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT).

Event Platform:

This event will be taking place using Forum Europe’s virtual solution. For more details, please visit forum-europe.com.

Contact:

For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact David Kirby using any of the details below.

David Kirby
Forum Europe

[email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 2920 783 077