Two years after the Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into force, the European Commission has published its first formal assessment of the landmark regulation. The verdict: real progress in giving users more freedom, but enforcement is struggling to keep pace with Big Tech's legal tactics.
The DMA, which targets the largest digital platforms—so-called gatekeepers—has already produced tangible changes. iPhones now allow third-party app stores. New Android and iOS devices prompt users to choose their default browser or search engine. The numbers bear this out: Firefox daily active users in Germany jumped 99 percent, while Brave and Opera saw EU downloads rise by 250 percent. These shifts show that the law is beginning to loosen the grip of a handful of companies on Europe's digital ecosystem.
Brussels has also shown it can impose penalties. In April 2025, Apple was fined €500 million for preventing developers from directing users to cheaper payment options outside its App Store. Meta received a €200 million fine for its "consent or pay" model, which the Commission ruled did not offer users a genuine choice. Both companies are appealing, but the fines signal that non-compliance carries real costs.
Slow investigations and legal delays
Yet the review flags serious concerns. Investigations are taking on average twice as long as the 12-month target. Gatekeepers are using legal appeals and procedural delays to slow compliance, a tactic that risks undermining the DMA's effectiveness. The Commission acknowledges that without faster enforcement, the law's deterrent power weakens.
Larger questions also loom. The review asks whether artificial intelligence tools and cloud platforms should be subject to the same rules. As AI becomes central to digital markets, the current gatekeeper definitions may need updating. This debate echoes broader European concerns about AI governance, as seen in the ongoing tension between news publishers blocking the Internet Archive to curb AI training on archived content.
The DMA's impact extends beyond consumer choice. It has forced companies to redesign core business models. Apple's App Store policies, Meta's advertising practices, and Google's search defaults are all under scrutiny. The law's success will depend on whether the Commission can maintain momentum and close loopholes before gatekeepers adapt.
For now, the review offers a mixed picture: users have more options, but the battle over enforcement is far from over. The next steps—including potential expansion to AI and cloud—will determine whether the DMA becomes a global template or a cautionary tale.
