FEAT has joined a list of 30 signatories on a joint statement penned by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) concerning the EU’s upcoming Digital Services Act.
Addressed to members of the European Parliament, Council and Commission, the statement calls for the Digital Services Act to set out “effective and unambiguous rules […] to tackle illegal activities and rogue traders”. It refers to the problems caused by secondary ticketing and includes evidence provided by FEAT in the form of nearly 60 major legal cases and initiatives involving secondary ticketing marketplaces that have taken place in Europe over the past few years.
The statement argues that self-regulation has failed and online marketplaces need to be held accountable for the transactions they facilitate in order to better protect consumers. This includes becoming liable when they fail to carry out basic due diligence or fail to put a stop to illegal activity on their site once they are aware of it. The letter also recommends marketplaces be required to set up a robust verification system for traders.
In the case of secondary ticketing, the Digital Services Act offers the opportunity to put a stop to the exploitation of fans at the hands of ticket touts, who are able to operate on ticket resale sites across Europe under a veil of anonymity.
Amendments to the Commission’s proposal for the Digital Services Act are currently in discussion, with the Parliamentary committee responsible preparing to vote on the final text it wishes to take forward.
You can read the full statement here.