What does digital services refer to?

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Digital services include a wide range of online offerings such as e-commerce platforms, online marketplaces, social media services, applications, and cloud services. These services are subject to diverse regulations, and identifying the relevant legal frameworks and requirements is crucial for the providers of digital services.

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Online service providers have obligations relating to transparency, user rights, and accessibility, for example. In practice, this means embedding regulatory compliance into the technical design and daily operation of the service.

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What key regulations apply?

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Digital services are governed by several EU regulations and national laws that aim to ensure a safe and transparent digital environment, including:

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• Digital Services Act (DSA): sets out obligations for online intermediaries and platforms regarding the removal of illegal content, user protection, and transparency.

• Digital Markets Act (DMA): regulates large “gatekeeper” platforms and aims to prevent anti-competitive practices.

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): defines principles for processing personal data and applies to cookies and all forms of personal data processing within digital services.

• Accessibility Directive and Finnish Digital Services Act (Accessibility Act): require services to be accessible to all users — not only public sector services but also e-commerce, consumer finance, and e-book services, for example.
   

In addition, providers may have further obligations, such as the obligations of online marketplaces under the Product Safety Regulation when the service enables product sales to consumers.
 

What must companies consider?
 

Digital service providers must identify which rules apply to their operations and how those rules interact. In practice, this includes:
 

• clarifying terms of use and liability allocation,

• managing data protection and information security throughout the service lifecycle,

• defining notification and moderation procedures under the DSA, and

• incorporating accessibility considerations already during service design.
   

If the service hosts or mediates third-party content or transactions, defining clear contract terms and liability limits is essential. A clear division of responsibilities helps manage both compliance and reputational risks.
 

Why is legal expertise important?
 

The regulation of digital services is fragmented across multiple instruments, and their combined impact can be complex. The lawyer’s role is to ensure that terms of use, privacy policies, and operational models meet legal requirements – while still supporting commercial goals.
 

A legally compliant and well-governed digital service is a competitive advantage: it enhances trust among users and regulators, supports responsible growth, and enables sustainable development in a changing regulatory environment.