Author: Yasmin Morais, Foreign, Comparative & International Collection Development Librarian. Harvard Law School Library
This post provides an overview of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA entered into force on November 1, 2022, (see publication in the Official Journal of the European Union) with the aim of ensuring fairness in the digital sector. The legislation is just one of several measures to regulate gatekeeping of the largest digital companies and it became applicable on May 2, 2023. It is important to note that EU competition rules remain unchanged and are still fully applicable, and the DMA is meant to complement these rules.
Overview of the DMA and the Legislative History
The European Commission’s website provides a useful background on the DMA, as well as a timeline to the act, up to March 2024. It also has a link to the initial proposal and further information on compliance, and the rights of consumers and businesses.
Who Are Gatekeepers Under the DMA?
Gatekeepers are the large digital platforms that provide services such as online search engines, messaging services, and app stores. The DMA designated seven gatekeeper companies: Meta, Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Apple, Booking, and Microsoft. Gatekeepers must comply with the provisions noted in the DMA.
Conclusion
In summary, the DMA is fully in effect and on April 28, 2026, had its first review. Stakeholders have suggested that the legislation should extend to AI, cloud computing, and interoperability.
Additional Readings on the DMA
- “What the EU’s First Digital Markets Act Review Actually Changes,” Tech Policy Press. Accessed June 2, 2026.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Guarding the Gates: The Digital Markets Act and Lesson in Ex Ante Regulation.” Accessed June 2, 2026.
- “The Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act,” European Commission LibGuide, European Commission. Accessed June 2, 2026.
- “Brussels Prepares Biggest-Ever DMA Penalty for Google,” The Next Web. Accessed June 2, 2026.
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