Content of the Digital Markets Act

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Scope of the DMA

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The scope of the text will apply to so-called “gatekeepers”, i.e. companies having a significant impact on the internal market and providing a core platform service which is an important gateway for business users to reach end users. The companies must also enjoy an entrenched and durable position in their operation. Companies meeting the cumulative criteria below are presumed to be gatekeepers:

• Platforms that, in the last three years, either had an annual turnover of at least €7.5 billion within the European Union (EU) or a market valuation of at least €75 billion.

• Platforms with at least 45 million monthly end users and at least 10,000 yearly business users based in the EU.

• Platforms that control one or more core platform services in at least three Member States. These core platform services include marketplaces and app stores, search engines, social networks, cloud services, advertising services, voice assistants, connected TVs and web browsers.

• An "emerging gatekeeper" category is also included: it will allow the Commission to impose certain obligations on companies with a demonstrated but not yet sustainable competitive position.

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Obligations and Prohibitions of Gatekeepers

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The DMA establishes a list of do’s and don'ts (ex-ante obligations) applicable to gatekeepers. The obligations and prohibitions of gatekeepers are summarized below.

 

With respect to their obligations, gatekeepers shall:

• Ensure the right of users to unsubscribe from the core platform services under conditions similar to subscription.

• For the most important software (e.g. web browser): not to impose this software by default when installing the operating system.

• Ensure interoperability of the basic functionality of their instant messaging services.

• Allow fair access to ancillary smartphone functionality (e.g., NFC chip).

• Provide vendors with access to their marketing or advertising performance data on the platform.

• Inform the European Commission of acquisitions and mergers they carry out.

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Regarding prohibitions, gatekeepers will not be able to:

• Rank their own products or services more favorably than those of other market participants (self-preference).

• Reuse personal data collected during one service for the purposes of another service.

• Establish unfair terms for business users.

• Pre-install certain software applications.

• Requiring application developers to use certain services (e.g., payment system or identification provider) to be listed in application stores.

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Sanctions​​

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As for penalties, gatekeepers risk a fine of up to 10% of total worldwide turnover. For repeat offenders, a fine of up to 20% of worldwide turnover may be imposed. In the event that a gatekeeper engages in systematic non-compliance with the DMA, i.e. violates the rules at least 3 times in 8 years, the European Commission may open a market investigation and, if necessary, impose behavioral or structural remedies.

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Governance and enforcement​​

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In terms of governance, the European Commission is the only body empowered to enforce the DMA. Member States may empower national competition authorities to initiate investigations into possible infringements and to transmit their findings to the European Commission.

 

The Commission may decide to engage in a dialogue on regulatory measures to ensure that gatekeepers have a clear understanding of the rules they must follow, and to clarify their application if necessary.

 

An Advisory Committee and a High Level Group will be set up to assist the European Commission and facilitate its work. 

• The Advisory Committee will be composed of experts from the Member States and will be chaired by the European Commission. 

• The High Level Group will be composed of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), the European Competition Network (ECN), the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC) and the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA).

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