DSA vs GDPR: What is Different?
Not every European law is the same
If you are responsible for privacy, security, or compliance, you are probably already familiar with GDPR. But now there is a new law in town: the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Both GDPR and DSA are major pieces of European legislation that protect people’s rights online. However, they focus on very different things.
Let’s break down the key differences and what you should know.
🛡️ GDPR: Focus on personal data and privacy
GDPR regulates how businesses collect, use, store, and protect personal data.
Its main goals are:
- Give individuals control over their personal information
- Set clear rules for data processing
- Require transparency and fairness in how data is handled
- Introduce strong rights like the right to access, correct, or delete data
GDPR applies to any company that processes personal data about people in the EU, no matter where the company is located.
🌐 DSA: Focus on platforms, content, and transparency
The DSA focuses on the responsibilities of online platforms and digital services, especially big tech companies.
Its main goals are:
- Make online platforms more accountable for illegal content
- Improve transparency around algorithms and moderation decisions
- Protect users from manipulative practices (like dark patterns)
- Provide users with better ways to report harmful content
The DSA mainly applies to platforms, marketplaces, hosting services, and very large online platforms.
It is less about personal data and more about online behavior, information flow, and platform responsibility.
🔍 Key differences at a glance
GDPR focuses on:
- Personal data and privacy
- Any company that processes personal data of EU individuals
- User rights like access, deletion, and correction
- Protecting individual privacy
DSA focuses on:
- Online platforms and content moderation
- Platforms, marketplaces, and hosting providers
- Transparency rules about algorithms and reporting harmful content
- Creating fair and safer digital environments
🧠 Do you need to worry about both?
Maybe. It depends on what your company does.
You must care about GDPR if you:
- Collect or process personal data
- Offer services to people in the EU
You must care about DSA if you:
- Run an online platform, marketplace, or hosting service
- Allow users to upload or share content
- Use recommender systems (algorithms that suggest content)
Some companies will need to comply with both laws, while others may only fall under GDPR.
🛠️ How ToolHive fits in
While ToolHive mainly helps you organize your GDPR compliance and vendor management, it also supports you in mapping how your tools handle content, user data, and external services.
Knowing exactly what your tools do is the first step in navigating laws like GDPR, DSA, and others.
Stay organized, stay compliant.
🚀 GDPR and DSA: Different missions, same spirit
GDPR and DSA both want to create a safer, fairer digital world. One protects your personal information. The other protects the digital environment where you interact.
Understanding both laws is not just about compliance. It is about building trust with your users and growing your business the right way.
Want better control over your data, vendors, and compliance? Start your free trial of ToolHive today and simplify your journey through GDPR and beyond.