The panel discussion titled “The Digital Markets Act – the Consumer’s Perspective” brought together experts to explore the implications of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for consumer empowerment and protection.

As the first comprehensive regulatory framework addressing the gatekeeper power of major digital companies, the DMA aims to create a level playing field for businesses, enabling smaller companies to compete and fostering innovation.

For consumers, the DMA introduces new rights that enhance choice and flexibility in navigating the digital landscape.

Key provisions include:

– Data-related provisions: Prohibiting cross-use and accumulation of data by gatekeepers.
– Prohibition of self-preferencing: Gatekeepers cannot favor their own services over third-party offerings.
– Side-loading and uninstall obligations: Users can install apps from alternative stores and uninstall pre-installed applications unless essential for operation.
– Data portability: Ensures continuous and real-time access to data.

Panel Speakers:

– Marco Scialdone (CEP, Director): In his presentation, “Empowering Consumers: Key DMA Obligations Shaping Our Digital Future,” Marco emphasized the crucial obligations that are reshaping the digital landscape for consumers, focusing on how these changes promote empowerment and protection.

– Alba Ribera Martínez: In her talk, “The (Secret) Metrics of DMA Success,” Alba delved into how these metrics reflect consumer benefits, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accuracy in measuring the DMA’s impact.

– Tasos Stampelos (Mozilla Head of EU Policy): Tasos examined the impact of default settings and choice screens on user behavior in his presentation, “Changing Default Settings, the Impact of Choice Screens, and the Need to Respect Users’ Choice,” discussing how regulators can ensure that these choices are respected.

– Agustín Reyna (BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation DG): Agustín discussed enforcing the DMA from a consumer perspective in his talk, “Enforcing the DMA from the Consumer Perspective: Opportunities and Challenges,” highlighting opportunities, challenges, and enforcement mechanisms across the EU.