Author: heise.de
Source: [Original source not directly linked]
Publication Date: 2025
Summary Reading Time: 3-4 minutes

Executive Summary

The European consumer umbrella organization BEUC confirms first concrete successes of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) after 18 months in effect: iOS users can freely choose default apps for the first time, Apple Pay loses its monopoly on contactless payments, and Gmail is no longer mandatory for Android accounts. While tech corporations continue to resist and full compliance is still pending, EU competition law proves to be an effective instrument against decades of market power abuse by the major platforms.

Critical Key Questions

Is regulatory pressure alone sufficient, or are sharper sanctions needed to break through the systematic delay tactics of tech giants?
What innovation opportunities emerge for European alternative providers when the walled gardens of US corporations finally become more permeable?
Where is the line between legitimate consumer protection and intrusive regulation that could ultimately weaken Europe's technological competitiveness?

Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives

Short-term (1 year):
Further gradual opening of closed ecosystems, intensified enforcement procedures by the EU Commission against non-compliant gatekeepers, possible first fines for continued refusal.

Medium-term (5 years):
Emergence of a genuine alternative market to dominant US platforms, expansion of DMA to cloud services and AI systems, potential fragmentation of global tech standards between EU and USA.

Long-term (10-20 years):
Fundamental reordering of digital power structures, possible emergence of European tech champions through fair competitive conditions, or withdrawal of US providers from the EU market due to excessive compliance costs.

Main Summary

Core Topic & Context

The EU's Digital Markets Act shows first measurable successes after 18 months against the market power of major tech corporations. While Apple, Google and others continue to resist, the European consumer umbrella organization BEUC confirms concrete improvements for end users through the new competition rules.

Most Important Facts & Figures

iOS Browser Choice: Since Apple update 18.2 (October 2024), users can freely choose default browsers
App Freedom: Update 18.4 enables setting third-party apps as default and removing pre-installed Apple apps
Payment Freedom: Alternative to Apple Pay available since early 2025
Gmail Requirement Ended: Android accounts can be created with third-party email addresses
Regional Court Mainz: Explicit Gmail preference ban issued for Google

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

Beneficiaries: European consumers, alternative browser providers (Ecosia, DuckDuckGo, Opera, Brave), payment service providers, email providers
Under Pressure: Apple, Google, Meta and other designated "gatekeepers"
Regulatory Level: EU Commission as enforcement authority

Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities: Real freedom of choice for consumers, innovation boost for European alternatives, breaking up lock-in effects
Risks: Corporate delay tactics lead to user frustration, incomplete compliance solutions dilute success, possible retaliatory measures through restricted services

Action Relevance

For Companies: Review of new market opportunities in previously closed ecosystems
For Regulators: Faster procedures and harsher sanctions against non-compliant gatekeepers required
For Consumers: Active use of new choice options to strengthen competition

Supplementary Developments

BEUC calls for expansion of DMA to cloud services (iCloud, OneDrive) and AI systems (ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI) as well as interoperability requirements for social media to break up network effects. The EU Commission should also receive the authority to freeze unreviewed compliance solutions from corporations until an independent review has taken place.

References

Primary Source:
BEUC report on the "first fruits" of the Digital Markets Act – heise.de

Supplementary Sources:
⚠️ To be verified: Specific court rulings and current sanction proceedings

Verification Status: ⚠️ Facts based on consumer protection perspective, tech corporation viewpoint should be supplemented.