The countdown to compliance with the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) has put tech giants under the microscope, and Snap is no exception. The social media company has announced a series of measures to align its policies with the upcoming regulations.
The EU's DSA aims to offer users greater control over their online experiences, while holding large online platforms and search engines accountable for algorithmic transparency. One key provision mandates that users should have the option to opt out of content recommender systems based on profiling their activities on the platform.
Snapchat has decided to provide users in the EU with the ability to opt out of personalized content in their Discover and Spotlight feeds. Additionally, the platform aims to increase transparency by offering a guide explaining how content personalization works on Snapchat.
Snap also introduced an Ads Transparency Library, designed to shed light on paid advertising campaigns, including who paid for an ad, the duration of the campaign, and detailed targeting information.
In an effort to improve accountability, Snap will notify users why certain content has been removed and will offer an appeals process. Although this feature will initially be available to users in the EU, it's planned to roll out globally in the coming months.
Interestingly, Snapchat has also restricted personalized advertising to users aged between 13-17. Although this change aligns with broader EU and UK goals to protect minors online, it’s a noteworthy proactive step by the company.
Companies falling short of DSA compliance could face penalties up to 6% of their global annual turnover. With the deadline for the 19 firms, including Snap, set for August 25, the clock is ticking.
As users look for more control over their data and online experience, Snapchat's moves indicate a larger industry trend toward increased transparency and user agency. Will other tech companies follow suit? Only time will tell.
