Digital Markets Act (DMA) Resources
Your learning destination for Digital Markets Act (DMA) resources.
From articles and ebooks to guides and checklists, you’re all set for a successful DMA compliance journey.
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Are ecommerce businesses ready for the new consent requirements?
The ecommerce privacy world is shifting, and understanding the new consent requirements is crucial for online retailers. Let's explore the impact of the new...
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What does Meta’s ad-free subscription model for European users mean for the future of digital advertising?
With Meta's new ad-free subscription model for EU users, the digital advertising industry is facing a major shift. Discover what this move means for user privacy...
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How the European Digital Markets Act (DMA) impacts user privacy and consent management
The European Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into force in November 2022 and gatekeepers have been nominated by the European Commission. But how does the DMA...
Blog
Articles
Jan 16, 2024
What is the Google EU user consent policy?
Google's EU user consent policy sets the foundation for responsible data handling in digital advertising. We explore how websites...
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Articles
Jan 3, 2024
Web development in the era of the Digital Markets Act (DMA): Adapting to changing privacy regulations
There are exciting opportunities ahead for web developers who adapt to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Learn about the...
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Articles
Dec 28, 2023
Top 5 privacy challenges for Apps and Games publishers in 2024
For a long time, data privacy was largely ignored in the mobile space. Apps and games collected user data...
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Articles
Dec 28, 2023
Mobile app monetization: Google AdMob in the mobile advertising market
Mobile app developer seeking to boost your app's revenue? Discover the potential of Admob for app monetization, including how...
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Articles
Dec 28, 2023
Review of 2023 in data privacy around the world
2023 definitely saw the acceleration of data privacy: in regulations, in consumer expectations, and in business’ operational changes and...
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Articles
Dec 18, 2023
Understanding Google’s Additional Consent: A guide for publishers
As a publisher, you're likely already aware of consent management's crucial role in the digital marketplace. Enhancing the user...
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Articles
Dec 12, 2023
The Digital Markets Act (DMA): Rules and revelations for travel companies
Travel companies rely on user data to create personalized experiences for customers. But with the Digital Markets Act on...
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Articles
Nov 16, 2023
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) for global brands: enhancing enterprise growth and success
The Digital Markets Act introduces new rules that could cause waves in the digital business operations of global enterprise...
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Articles
Nov 13, 2023
What the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act mean for US businesses
The Digital Services Act package legislated by the European Commission brings a variety of new obligations and opportunities to...
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Articles
Nov 13, 2023
Navigating the Digital Markets Act: How advertisers can ensure privacy and compliance
The Digital Markets Act is a regulation that's shaking up how advertisers work with large tech platforms. If you're...
Learn more >Webinars
Webinars
Dec 6, 2023
Digital Markets Act and its impact on online marketing – improve results and opt-in rates in the new digital era
Watch Usercentrics’ webinar on how the Digital Markets Act impacts online marketing and major advertising services.
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FAQ
What is the Digital Markets Act (DMA)?
The Digital Markets is a regulation developed by the European Commission that applies to large tech companies operating in the European Union, such as Google and Amazon. The law aims to foster competition and innovation and improve fairness for companies operating in digital markets. The DMA requires increased improvements in transparency, data sharing, and platform interoperability, as well as for consumer choice and data privacy.
Under the DMA six large, influential tech companies have so far been designated “gatekeepers”. This means they have specific obligations under the law. However, many third-party companies rely on the gatekeepers’ platforms and services, e.g. for advertising, and will also have obligations to ensure compliance, like for data privacy and consent.
When does the Digital Markets Act come into force?
The Digital Markets Act officially came into force November 1, 2022, with most of its rules active by May 2023. The European Commission designated the gatekeepers on September 6, 2023, and the gatekeepers have until March 6, 2024 to comply with the Digital Markets Act.
In what region(s) does the Digital Markets Act apply?
The Digital Markets Act applies to gatekeepers and third parties doing business with them that operate in the European Union, European Economic Area and United Kingdom. The law also applies to consumers living in those regions.
What companies does the Digital Markets Act apply to?
The Digital Markets Act applies to companies that own and operate large online digital platforms and services that meet the EC’s criteria, including the size of their user base, significant impact on digital markets, influence over innovation, how they act as intermediaries between businesses and users, and their durable position of power in digital markets. These platforms and services have been designated as “gatekeepers” and will be subject to enhanced regulatory obligations and scrutiny under the DMA.
Which companies have been designated gatekeepers by the European Commission?
The six gatekeepers designated by the European Commission to date are:
- Alphabet (owner of Google and Android)
- Amazon
- Apple
- ByteDance (owner of TikTok)
- Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and others)
- Microsoft
This list may grow or change in the future. Although the Digital Markets Act applies directly to these gatekeepers, many businesses work with and rely on their platforms and services. These third parties need to understand the law and its possible applications to their business, e.g. obtaining valid user consent. The gatekeepers will communicate and impose their own requirements of partners and customer companies to ensure Digital Markets Act compliance.
What is the scope of applicability for the Digital Markets Act?
The Digital Markets Act primarily focuses on developing digital markets that are more transparent, more fair to smaller businesses, and more competitive overall. The Act also aims to better protect user privacy and consumer choice.
Overall, the DMA should help smaller players to grow and innovate in digital markets in the EU to compete with the big tech platforms, and prevent the gatekeepers from using their power and reach to control operations and growth of smaller organizations that rely on them.
What are gatekeepers’ core platform services (CPS)?
These sites, software, and services are owned and operated by the gatekeepers, and are integral to digital business operations and online activities for millions of companies and consumers. The CPS include online search engines, operating systems, web browsers, voice assistants, online social networks, video sharing platforms, and more. To date 22 core platform services (CPS) have been identified under the Digital Markets Act, though the list may grow or change over time:
- 6 intermediary platforms (Amazon Marketplace, Google Maps, Google Play, Google Shopping, iOS App Store, Meta Marketplace)
- 4 social networks (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok)
- 3 online advertising services (Amazon, Google, and Meta)
- 3 most popular operating systems (Google Android, iOS, Windows PC OS)
- 2 large communication services (Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp)
- 2 web browsers (Chrome and Safari)
- 1 search engine (Google)
- 1 video sharing platform (YouTube)
What regulatory obligations do gatekeepers have under the Digital Markets Act?
The Digital Markets Act levies a number of obligations on gatekeepers. However, broadly, these are the main ones that will require compliance:
- eliminate anti-competitive or unfair business practices toward smaller companies
- provide access to data that their platforms and services generate or that’s gathered on them
- ensure interoperability and portability for consumers and businesses
- prevent favoring their own or specific partners’ products or services
Will the Digital Markets Act impact EU businesses?
Digital Markets Act compliance will require the gatekeepers to update their operations and conditions for use of their platforms and services. This work may require significant investment in legal resources, technology infrastructure and staffing. This will likely lead to increases in operating costs, at least for a while. However, the gatekeepers have substantial resources and ways to recoup investment costs.
The Digital Markets Act can also result in significant fines or other penalties for noncompliance, which could be a further financial burden for gatekeepers.
For smaller companies, noncompliance could result in loss of access to the gatekeepers platforms and services, which could cause serious financial problems, as it would deny access to users, data, and revenue streams like advertising.
However, over time the DMA should help foster innovation and bring growth to smaller companies operating in the EU as the business playing field is leveled and they take advantage of additional data, larger potential audiences and new opportunities.
Will EU consumers benefit from the Digital Markets Act’s?
Consumers and users of digital platforms and services in the EU are likely to see more competitive pricing and more innovation in the CPS they use. It will become easier for them to switch providers and take their data with them. Consumers will have more control over the apps and services they use, and in customizing their user experience. They will also have additional data privacy and protection and choices regarding granting use of their personal data.
Will using a consent management platform help with Digital Markets Act compliance?
Prior consent for access to personal data is a key part of the Digital Markets Act’s requirements, so consent management is important to compliance there. Gatekeepers will need to ensure they obtain compliant consent from users, and will require third parties using their platforms and services to be able to prove that they obtain compliant consent as well.
Signally this consent can be done with existing tools, e.g. via Google Consent Mode for Google’s platforms. A consent management platform like Usercentrics CMP enables companies to obtain valid user consent for cookie and tracker usage, securely store the information, and signal it to gatekeepers. It also enables users to change their consent preferences in the future, and ensures that consent data is available to data protection authorities, who may perform compliance audits.
Will the Digital Markets Act coordinate with other European regulations?
The Digital Markets Act joins a number of regulations and frameworks already in force in the EU, so good coordination will be critical to ensure compliance and enforcement and not put an undue burden on companies.
The DMA is designed to complement existing regulations like the GDPR, which are well established. The European Commission, which will enforce the Digital Markets Act, will be working closely with other regulatory bodies to ensure harmonization and coordination. These will include national competition and data protection authorities. Regular consultations and mechanisms to enable good cooperation will be set up for information exchange, alignment where enforcement actions are required, and to address any inconsistencies or overlaps among the Digital Markets Act and other regulatory frameworks.