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DMA
Know the rule before it knows you.
Rules for gatekeepers, and rights for the businesses that depend on them.
What it is
The DMA imposes conduct rules on designated 'gatekeepers' such as the largest app stores, search engines, operating systems, browsers, messaging and social services. For everyone else it creates rights: fairer ranking, interoperability, data access and the freedom to steer users to your own channels.
This applies to you if
- You distribute apps through major app stores or depend on a gatekeeper's search, ads or operating system
- You want to use alternative payment or distribution routes, or access data a gatekeeper holds about your users
- You compete with a gatekeeper's own services on its platform
What it asks of you
- For most companies, no direct obligations; instead enforceable rights against gatekeepers
- For gatekeepers: no self-preferencing, interoperability of messaging, data portability, no tying, and transparency on advertising
What it costs to ignore
For gatekeepers, fines up to 10% of worldwide turnover (20% for repeat breaches). For other businesses, the DMA is a lever, not a risk.
Key dates
Applicable since 2 May 2023; gatekeeper obligations since March 2024.
How we help
Not sure which apply to you? Send us three lines about what you sell and to whom, and we will tell you which rules matter and which do not.
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