Starting today, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has been granted the authority to investigate compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This legislation is designed to foster competition and create more opportunities for digital companies that rely on or compete with major digital platforms.

The DMA, which has been in effect in Europe since May 2023, specifically targets designated digital-platform providers known as gatekeepers. These include major companies such as Apple, Booking, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. The law mandates that these gatekeepers adhere to specific rules to ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace.

With the Dutch Senate's approval of the implementing act, ACM is officially authorized to conduct investigations into reports of non-compliance with the DMA starting March 10, 2025. Martijn Snoep, Chairman of ACM, emphasized the importance of the DMA in providing growth opportunities for companies and better protection for consumers in the digital realm.

The DMA outlines obligations for large online platform providers, requiring them to offer fair conditions for app submissions, grant companies access to their own data, and ensure interoperability between apps and the gatekeepers' systems. ACM is set to collaborate closely with the European Commission to oversee compliance and address any violations reported by businesses.

ACM has already received multiple reports regarding potential breaches of the DMA and is now equipped to investigate these claims effectively. The authority encourages businesses to report any issues they encounter with gatekeepers to ensure a fair digital market.