The Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to regulate online intermediaries and platforms such as marketplaces, social networks, content-sharing platforms, app stores, and online travel and accommodation platforms. Its main goal is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation. Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) has taken a role of Digital Service Coordinator in latvia from 21 June, 2024 and has developed an annual report.
According to the first annual report of the Latvian Digital Services Coordinator for 2024, the Latvian competent authorities have issued 288 orders requiring the restriction of intermediary services, most of them in the field of gambling.
Authorities' orders notified to the Coordinator in 2024:
- 282 in the field of gambling
- 3 in the field of consumer law
- 2 in electronic media
- 1 in the field of public health
The DSA also provides the possibility to claim about eventual infringements. Complaints can be submitted by services users and by organisations or bodies authorised by them. It is important to remember that:
- before contacting the responsible authority, the complainant must contact the provider of the intermediary service concerned, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the terms of service;
- if the intermediary service provider does not respond or otherwise ignores the complaint, the complainant or the body responsible for the area may report it to the Digital Service Coordinator.
The Digital Service Coordinator will deal with complaints about service providers established in Latvia. In all other cases, it will be referred to the Digital Service Coordinator of the country in which the service provider or its representative is registered.
In 2024, the Coordinator has received 3 complaints alleging breaches of the DSA. The number of complaints is expected to increase significantly in 2025.
It should be noted that online platforms, except micro and small ones, in line with DSA are also required to inform users of the possibility to resolve a dispute through out-of-court dispute resolution. The European Commission's website provides a list of currently recognised out-of-court dispute resolution bodies in the EU.
In order to ensure effective cooperation between administrative authorities in Latvia, 12 authorities signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in 2024.
This will allow CRPC to continue successfully in 2025 with its coordinating role. Monitoring of online trading platforms will be reinforced and special focus will be placed, how the very large online platforms, with an average monthly user base of more than 45 million in the EU, ensure that illegal content and disinformation in the context of the upcoming municipal elections in Latvia in June 2025.
Additional information:
• Annual report of the Latvian Digital Services Coordinator
Additional information for media:
Sanita Gertmane
Head of Consumer Support, Public Affairs and Communication Division
Phone number: + 371 26544528
E mail: Sanita.Gertmane@ptac.gov.lv