Amazon Challenges EU Designation as ‘Very Large Online Platform’
Amazon has asked Europe’s second-highest court to scrap its designation as a platform subject to stricter requirements under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), arguing that it poses no systematic risks to its users. The tech giant contends that its size does not multiply risk, making the designation arbitrary and discriminatory.
The DSA, which came into force in 2022, requires Big Tech companies to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Amazon was classified as a very large online platform (VLOP) under the DSA by the European Commission, subjecting it to additional requirements such as risk management, external auditing, and data sharing with authorities.
Amazon’s lawyer, Robert Spano, argued before the Luxembourg-based General Court that online marketplaces like Amazon Store do not pose systemic risks. He stated that the VLOP rules “make no sense when applied to online marketplaces” as any risks are limited to individual customers and are already addressed by existing product safety and compliance laws.
Other major tech companies, including Meta Platforms, TikTok, and Zalando, have also challenged the DSA on various grounds. The court is expected to rule on Amazon’s case in the coming months.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how EU online content regulations are enforced on large tech companies. Amazon’s challenge highlights the ongoing debate between tech giants and regulators over the balance between platform size, risk management, and content moderation responsibilities.
