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Reports
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The European Consumer Organisation – BEUC, takes the view that Meta’s latest changes on its ‘consent-for-ads’ model would still not meet the requirements laid down in EU law, especially EU Regulation 2022/1925 (the Digital Markets Act - DMA), EU Regulation 2016/679 (the General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR) and EU Directive 2005/29 (the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive – the UCPD). Several crucial issues remain unsolved, including the ability of users to provide free, specific, informed and unambiguous consent given Meta’s extensive data collection, and the continued use of non-neutral language and interface design techniques which undermine the free choice of users.
Press releases
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A new analysis by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) concludes that Meta’s latest model to let consumers pay for an ad-free experience, or obtain their consent to show either personalised or less personalised ads, continues to breach the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), the GDPR and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD).
Tools
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English
This consumer checklist outlines BEUC's recommendations for the Commission, reaffirming that effective competition is the key driver for well-functioning markets that benefit all European consumers.
Letters
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Ahead of the European Council and adoption of the One Europe, One Market Roadmap, EuroCommerce, representing retail and wholesalers, and BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation representing independent consumer organisations across Europe, jointly call on the EU institutions to commit to the elimination of territorial supply constraints and set a clear timetable for legislative action in the forthcoming Action Plan.
Factsheets
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As a consumer, through the Digital Markets Act (DMA), you are entitled to more choice by default, greater control over your data, better value when using apps and online services, and better search and shopping results since March 2024.
The DMA imposes clear rules to prevent unfair practices before they can happen. These rules require tech giants to change business practices that have harmed consumers in the past. In doing so, the DMA gives consumers the right to more choice, fairer prices and encourages innovation.
This factsheet outlines the first concrete changes benefitting consumers across Europe as a result of the Digital Markets Act and takes a look at what improvements we could still expect, once the gatekeepers fully comply with the law.
More information and details about the benefits and enforcement of the Digital Markets Act can be found in BEUC’s report.
The DMA imposes clear rules to prevent unfair practices before they can happen. These rules require tech giants to change business practices that have harmed consumers in the past. In doing so, the DMA gives consumers the right to more choice, fairer prices and encourages innovation.
This factsheet outlines the first concrete changes benefitting consumers across Europe as a result of the Digital Markets Act and takes a look at what improvements we could still expect, once the gatekeepers fully comply with the law.
More information and details about the benefits and enforcement of the Digital Markets Act can be found in BEUC’s report.
Position papers
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English
Competition law aims to protect consumers by ensuring fair market conditions, promoting choice and access, and stimulating lower prices and higher quality. The framework for the enforcement of those rules was adopted more than 20 years ago and was designed for traditional market structures.
The announced review of EU Regulation 1/2003 provides an opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of competition enforcement, while ensuring that consumers’ wellbeing and interests remain at the centre of competition law and policies. In today’s market characterised by rapid technological developments, we consider it important to strengthen the enforcement of competition law and review the tools authorities have at their disposal.
Our new position paper provides a list of our key recommendations for faster and more coherent antitrust enforcement with a stronger focus on consumers in competition policy.
The announced review of EU Regulation 1/2003 provides an opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of competition enforcement, while ensuring that consumers’ wellbeing and interests remain at the centre of competition law and policies. In today’s market characterised by rapid technological developments, we consider it important to strengthen the enforcement of competition law and review the tools authorities have at their disposal.
Our new position paper provides a list of our key recommendations for faster and more coherent antitrust enforcement with a stronger focus on consumers in competition policy.
Reports
Available in
English
Over the past couple of decades, Big Tech companies have increasingly limited competition in digital markets at the expense of consumers, restricting choice and access to innovation. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is an attempt to make digital markets fairer and more open to challenger companies.
Is the Digital Markets Act effective? In July 2025, the European Commission opened a consultation to gather feedback on the impact and effectiveness of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and its ability to face emerging challenges such as new technologies. Our review shared with the Commission and summarized in our new report offers a snapshot of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is performing eighteen months in.
So, what are the benefits of the DMA for consumers? Our new report shows the first concrete benefits the DMA has delivered for consumers eighteen months into its application, which include:
1) A choice screen to select your preferred default browser on iOS devices.
2) Choice over the app you want to use by default on iOS devices across a wide variety of categories.
3) The ability to make contactless payments on iPhones without going through Apple Pay.
4) The ability to create a Google account without requiring a Gmail account.
The report also outlines the ongoing areas of suspected non-compliance under the DMA by gatekeepers that the European Commission must tackle, how BEUC is pushing for effective compliance by the gatekeepers, and an assessment of how to take the DMA's enforcement to the next level and boost the benefits for consumers.
Is the Digital Markets Act effective? In July 2025, the European Commission opened a consultation to gather feedback on the impact and effectiveness of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and its ability to face emerging challenges such as new technologies. Our review shared with the Commission and summarized in our new report offers a snapshot of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is performing eighteen months in.
So, what are the benefits of the DMA for consumers? Our new report shows the first concrete benefits the DMA has delivered for consumers eighteen months into its application, which include:
1) A choice screen to select your preferred default browser on iOS devices.
2) Choice over the app you want to use by default on iOS devices across a wide variety of categories.
3) The ability to make contactless payments on iPhones without going through Apple Pay.
4) The ability to create a Google account without requiring a Gmail account.
The report also outlines the ongoing areas of suspected non-compliance under the DMA by gatekeepers that the European Commission must tackle, how BEUC is pushing for effective compliance by the gatekeepers, and an assessment of how to take the DMA's enforcement to the next level and boost the benefits for consumers.
Press releases
The European Commission today presented its Water Resilience Strategy, the aim of which is environmental protection, competitiveness and to secure clean and affordable water and sanitation for all at all times, and empowering citizens for water resilience. BEUC very much welcomes this action plan as much bolder action is needed to restore and protect the water cycle, to eliminate harmful chemicals, make agricultural practices more sustainable and invest substantially in the EU’s water infrastructure.