BEUC NEWS - 28 April 2026

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a landmark law to make digital markets fairer and allow greater consumer choice. The DMA tackles illegal practices by large tech companies, also known as ‘gatekeepers’ by setting certain obligations that prevent unfair practices from happening in the first place.  

Under the DMA, the EU Commission is required to conduct a review of the DMA every three years, with the first review published on 28 April 2026. According to the review, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) remains fit for purpose and has opened up new opportunities for businesses and developers, while giving users more control over their experiences and devices, as well as access to more diverse and innovative digital products and services in the first two years of its application.

In November 2025, BEUC responded to the Commission's consultation to gather feedback on the impact of the DMA and published our 'First Bloom' report. This report highlighted the law’s early successes, ongoing challenges, and changes needed to strengthen the DMA’s impact and keep it fit for the future. 

Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, commented:

“Thanks to the Digital Markets Act, consumers already benefit from more choice. For example, they can decide which browser to set as their default on iOS or exchange messages with WhatsApp users from an alternative messaging service. However, Big Tech companies are too often circumventing the rules, preventing consumers from experiencing the full benefits of the DMA. The European Commission needs to do two things: beef up its enforcement and address new areas like AI and cloud services to make sure consumers can fully reap the DMA’s benefits.  

It is a shame that the Commission did not extend the rules for social media platforms, as there could be a lot of value in allowing people on different social media to see each other’s activities.”