How does the EU DSA compare with California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code?

The DSA is a broad platform regulation covering illegal content handling, transparency, research access, and marketplace seller checks across the EU.

It is live and enforceable, with heavier duties for very large services.

California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act focuses on children’s privacy and safety by design for online services likely to be accessed by minors. As of 2024–2025, key provisions remain blocked by a court injunction pending further proceedings, after the Ninth Circuit partially upheld an injunction. This means enforcement is paused while litigation continues.

So, DSA equals broad, operational platform governance in force. CA AADC equals child-centric design and privacy obligations with legal uncertainty due to the ongoing injunction status.