Meta Information

Author: nen (heise.de)
Source: heise.de - Article on DMA Assessment
Publication Date: January 2025
Summary Reading Time: 3 minutes

Executive Summary

After 18 months, the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) shows first concrete successes in the fight against Big Tech monopolies: iPhone users can freely choose default browsers for the first time, Apple Pay is losing its payment monopoly, and Android users no longer need a Gmail account. While tech giants like Apple and Google criticize the DMA as anti-innovation, the European consumer protection association Beuc sees it as a necessary liberation from decades of "walled gardens" – but demands significantly stricter enforcement and adaptation to AI systems.

Critical Key Questions

1. Does the DMA mark the beginning of genuine digital self-determination – or just cosmetic corrections to Big Tech's power?

2. Where is the line between necessary market regulation and innovation-stifling overregulation in the technology sector?

3. Can European regulations break up global tech monopolies – or will they only lead to a fragmented "European internet" with fewer services?

Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives

Short-term (1 year):
Additional formal investigation proceedings against Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft; possible first billion-euro fines; tech corporations implement minimal solutions for formal legal compliance.

Medium-term (5 years):
Emergence of alternative app stores and payment ecosystems in Europe; AI systems regulated as new "gatekeepers"; possible separation of European tech services from global platforms.

Long-term (10-20 years):
Fundamental reorganization of digital markets with genuine interoperability standards; Europe as regulatory model for USA and Asia – or technological isolation through overregulation.

Main Summary

a) Core Topic & Context

The DMA is considered the EU's sharpest weapon against the market power of Apple, Google, Meta & Co. Since 2024, these "gatekeepers" must open their closed ecosystems – a paradigm shift after decades of antitrust powerlessness.

b) Most Important Facts & Figures

• iOS 18.2 (October 2024): Free browser choice on iPhones for the first time
• iOS 18.4: Complete removal of pre-installed Apple apps possible
• 6 Gatekeepers currently covered: Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, ByteDance
• Potential penalties: Up to 10% of global annual revenue
• 18 months since DMA came into force – no final compliance achieved yet

c) Stakeholders & Affected Parties

• Directly affected: 450 million EU consumers
• Beneficiaries: Alternative browsers (DuckDuckGo, Brave), payment providers, SME app developers
• Under pressure: Big Tech corporations with billion-euro businesses in Europe

d) Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities: Real freedom of choice for users, market access for innovators, weakening of lock-in effects
Risks: Tech corporations could limit services in EU, fragmentation of digital services, innovation brake through overregulation

e) Action Relevance

Companies should examine alternative distribution channels now (app stores, payment systems). The next wave of regulation covers cloud services and AI chatbots – compliance strategies must be developed preventively.

Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking

✅ Verified: iOS update data, DMA entry into force 2024
⚠️ To be verified: Exact number of DMA compliance proceedings, status of ongoing investigations
✅ Confirmed: Mainz Regional Court ruling against Google (Gmail requirement)

Supplementary Research

EU Commission DMA Portal – Official compliance reports from gatekeepers
Beuc Report "First Fruits of DMA" – Detailed consumer analysis (January 2025)
Tech Industry Statements – Counter-position from Apple/Google on DMA impacts

Source Directory

Primary Source:
heise.de: DMA Shows First Successes Against Big Tech

Verification Status: ✅ Facts checked on January 28, 2025

File Information

Version: 1.0
Analysis Author: AI system with liberal-journalistic perspective
License: CC-BY 4.0
Last Update: January 28, 2025