What is the Digital Markets Act (DMA, EU 2022/1925)?
EU regulation limiting market power of "gatekeepers" (Google, Meta, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, ByteDance, Booking) and enforcing interoperability. In force from 7 March 2024.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) targets a narrow group of tech companies that are "gatekeepers" of digital markets. Threshold criteria: ≥€7.5 billion EU revenue OR ≥€75 billion market cap + ≥45 million EU end users monthly + ≥10,000 EU business users. Designated gatekeepers (2024): Google (Alphabet), Meta, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, ByteDance (TikTok), Booking. Obligations: (a) Interoperability — e.g. WhatsApp must work with Signal (from 2025), iOS must allow alternative app stores. (b) Self-preferencing ban — Google may not place own services above competitors in search results. (c) Data portability — businesses selling on platform get access to their own customer data. (d) No tying — Microsoft may no longer tie Teams to Office365 (EC decision 2024). (e) No cross-product data combination without consent — Meta may not automatically combine Facebook + Instagram + WhatsApp data (separate consent required). Fines: up to 10% global turnover, repeat infringement 20%, structural breaches can lead to break-up. For consumers: more choice, lower prices, better portability. NL oversight: EC + ACM together.
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