Digital Services Act in force for two years

17 February 2026 marked two years since the Digital Services Act (DSA) came into force. The DSA aims to contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market for intermediary services by setting out harmonised rules for a safe, predictable and trusted online environment that facilitates innovation and in which the fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter, including the principle of consumer protection, are effectively protected.

In line with the DSA, online platforms and search engines have changed their systems and interfaces, adopting more effective mechanisms for reporting illegal content and making moderation decisions more transparent. They have also introduced additional options for users to control content and advertising, as well as specific measures to protect minors and mitigate systemic risks (including those related to electoral processes).

As the competent authority and Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) in Portugal, ANACOM has played an active role in institutional cooperation at both the national and European levels.

At a national level, this Authority has established a structured network of contacts with the 32 relevant national bodies for the application of the DSA. The aim is to deepen knowledge of their respective competences and define effective channels of contact. This cooperation has been particularly important in areas such as child protection, ensuring the integrity of electoral processes, and combatting financial fraud.

At the European level, ANACOM works closely with the European Commission on an ongoing basis. This includes regular contact with the DSA Legal and Policy Officer responsible for Portugal at the European Commission, as well as active participation in the European Board for Digital Services (DSA Board). ANACOM is a member of all of the DSA Board's working groups, thematic networks and task forces. The Authority also cooperates through the information-sharing system provided for in the DSA, ensuring the exchange of information, requests for assessment, complaints and orders, among other things.

As the competent authority and DSC, ANACOM has played an active role in several key areas of the DSA:

• In the area of child protection, the Authority has participated in the development of European Commission guidelines on age verification and adult content platforms, as well as on digital literacy. In this context, it has worked closely with national bodies that have complementary sectoral expertise, particularly the ERC (the Regulatory Authority for the Media) and the ARTE (Agency for Technological Reform of the State).
• With regard to the electoral process integrity, ANACOM's activities include promoting coordination meetings with relevant national bodies, liaising with very large online platforms and search engines¹, engaging in dialogue with other DSCs and the European Commission, communicating with electoral candidate representatives, and participating in other electoral cooperation networks. These initiatives aim to facilitate information sharing, prepare coordinated responses, and mitigate the risks of disinformation and illegal content during elections.
• In the field of online financial fraud, ANACOM is involved in work dedicated to consumer protection and online markets. It also promotes national cooperation with financial supervisory authorities, with the aim of analysing incidents, identifying patterns, and defining proposals for action.
• In terms of digital literacy, ANACOM has adopted an integrated and cross-cutting approach, acknowledging that the effectiveness of the DSA depends not only on regulation and supervision, but also on empowering citizens to think critically. In this area, action has focused on promoting digital citizenship and the safe and informed use of digital services, as well as protecting minors, combatting disinformation, and strengthening trust in the digital ecosystem through information, clarification, and awareness-raising activities. In this context, ANACOM has collaborated with the European Commission to disseminate several awareness campaigns under the DSA, focusing for example on the protection and general empowerment of EU citizens, and the prevention and reporting of financial fraud.

Finally, as DSC, ANACOM published its first annual activity report on 4 July 2025, in accordance with article 55 of the DSA. The report is available at ANACOM - Digital Services - Activity report 2024https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1813624.

Two years on from the implementation of the Act, the DSA has made digital platforms more accountable and improved the online experience for users across the European Union, making it safer and more transparent.