On 11 June, the European Commission services responsible for the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) have signed an administrative arrangement with the eSafety Commissioner – the independent regulator for online safety in Australia.

As likeminded partners, the EU and Australia have increased contacts on areas of common interest such as platforms, data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and secure connectivity. On 12 June, both partners are meeting virtually for a digital dialogue.

The arrangement signed today will support the Commission's and the eSafety Commissioner's supervisory work towards online platforms, respectively the EU's DSA and Australia's Online Safety Act 2021. The cooperation covers areas such as transparency and accountability of online platforms, risk assessment and mitigation particularly as regards illegal content, algorithms and artificial intelligence, as well as measures like age-appropriate design and age verification to protect minors online. It will be carried out through information exchanges, including expert dialogues, joint training of technical staff and sharing of best practices.

Effective and active cooperation with international partners is crucial to shape a secure and trusted online environment. On 16 May 2024 the Commission services signed a similar administrative agreement with OfCom, the media regulator of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Roberta Verbanac – Tel.: +32 2 298 24 98) 

Find out more about:

• Digital Services Act (DSA)
• DSA: Making the online world safer
• EU International relations in the Digital field