August 11, 2025
3 min read
The analysis of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) demonstrates targeted regulatory intervention aimed at large-scale providers of “core platform services.” The regulation, as defined by the European Commission, applies specifically to entities with at least 45 million monthly active end users and more than 10,000 yearly active business users in the EU (European Commission, 2022). These thresholds are not arbitrary; they are designed to isolate “gatekeepers”—a category reserved for platforms exerting systemic influence on the internal market.
Empirical identification in September 2023 resulted in six companies—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft—being designated as gatekeepers. In total, 22 distinct services across these firms were found to satisfy the quantitative DMA criteria (European Commission Press Release, 2023). This selection process confirms the DMA’s focus on only the most influential market actors, as opposed to a blanket application across the digital sector.
The obligations imposed on gatekeepers are prescriptive. Key requirements include:
The anticipated outcome is a recalibration of digital market dynamics. Early industry responses and academic commentary suggest that these obligations are likely to:
However, initial compliance challenges have emerged. Gatekeepers must adapt business models and technical infrastructures within a defined timeframe—compliance was mandated by March 6, 2024. Early indications from regulatory filings and public statements show ongoing negotiation between gatekeepers and EU authorities regarding scope and practical implementation details (Financial Times, November 2023).
In sum, the DMA’s results so far show effective targeting of dominant digital platforms, establishment of clear-cut compliance requirements, and measurable steps toward increased market contestability. Ongoing monitoring will be necessary to assess the regulation’s long-term impact on innovation and market structure.
