Andy Irons Memorial: North Shore Honors Surfing Legend
- This past weekend on the North Shore hundreds of people came out to celebrate the memory of Andy Irons at a special exhibit at the Hawaii Surfing Museum...
- The evening marked the launch of a special AI Collection from Billabong that pays tribute to his lasting effect on the sport and benefits the Andy Irons Foundation.
- The Hawaii Surfing Museum and CORE operate a unique space inside the grounds of the old Sugar Mill in Waiaula, and have been hosting a series of events...
This past weekend on the North Shore hundreds of people came out to celebrate the memory of Andy Irons at a special exhibit at the Hawaii Surfing Museum and center of Radical Education (CORE). Inside the space a retrospective photo gallery and collection of Andy’s surfboards lined the walls and set the scene for an evening filled with surf films, talk story, and live music for the crowd of family, friends, and fans of one of surfing’s greatest talents.
The evening marked the launch of a special AI Collection from Billabong that pays tribute to his lasting effect on the sport and benefits the Andy Irons Foundation.
The Hawaii Surfing Museum and CORE operate a unique space inside the grounds of the old Sugar Mill in Waiaula, and have been hosting a series of events throughout the past year. on Saturday evening, the side of the building served as an outdoor theater with Andy’s films sharing the screen with a documentary on the Hawaiian Water Patrol. The stage hosted live music as well as talk story with some of Andy’s closest friends and peers, like surf legends Occy, Parko, Shane Dorian, Barca and his brother Bruce Irons.
Billabong / andy irons Foundation
Billabong / Andy Irons Foundation
This collaboration with Billabong and the AI Foundation is the largest-to-date for the Hawaii Surfing Museum and CORE, a a joint venture between Derek Doerner and Ashton Goggans (and many volunteers), and marks a new chapter for the space.
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Digital Services Act (DSA): A comprehensive Overview (Updated January 23, 2026)
Table of Contents
The Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark European Union regulation, aims to create a safer digital space for users and hold online platforms accountable for illegal and harmful content. Implementation is ongoing, with significant enforcement actions taken in 2025 and early 2026, especially against major platforms. This article provides a detailed description of the DSA, its key provisions, and its current status as of January 23, 2026.
What is the Digital Services Act?
The Digital Services Act is a European union law that establishes a comprehensive set of rules for online intermediaries and services, ranging from social media platforms to online marketplaces. It was adopted in October 2022 and began phased implementation in February 2024, with full request for all services by February 17, 2024. The DSA is part of a broader EU strategy to regulate the digital space, alongside the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The DSA’s core objective is to protect fundamental rights online, including freedom of expression, and to ensure a level playing field for businesses. It does this by imposing obligations on digital service providers based on their size and impact. The law addresses issues like illegal content, disinformation, transparency, and user redress mechanisms.
Exmaple: The European Commission designated 45 Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) in April 2023, subjecting them to the most stringent requirements under the DSA. european Commission Declaration
Key Provisions of the DSA
The DSA introduces a tiered system of obligations based on the size and role of the online service. These obligations fall into several categories.
- Illegal Content Removal: All online intermediaries must have mechanisms to allow users to report illegal content, and must act expeditiously to remove it once notified. DSA Text (Article 14)
- Transparency Requirements: Platforms must be transparent about their content moderation policies, algorithms, and advertising practices. VLOPs and VLOSEs are required to publish detailed reports on these areas. European Commission – DSA Explained
- User Redress Mechanisms: users must have access to effective redress mechanisms to challenge content moderation decisions.
- Due Diligence Obligations for Online Marketplaces: Marketplaces must take steps to ensure that traders operating on their platforms comply with EU law.
- Restrictions on Targeted Advertising: The DSA prohibits targeted advertising based on sensitive personal data, such as religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs)
VLOPs and VLOSEs, defined as platforms with 45 million or more active users in the EU, face the most extensive obligations under the DSA. these include conducting risk assessments to identify systemic risks, implementing mitigation measures, and undergoing autonomous audits.
Detail: Systemic risks identified by VLOPs include the spread of illegal content, disinformation, manipulation of electoral processes, and negative effects on fundamental rights. Platforms are required to detail how they will address these risks in their annual transparency reports.
Evidence: In December 2025,the European Commission issued a formal request for information to X (formerly Twitter) regarding its handling of illegal content related to the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel,citing concerns about a potential breach of the DSA. European Commission Press Release
Enforcement and Recent Developments (as of January 23, 2026)
The DSA