Focus areas of ACM’s oversight over the digital economy in 2026
                  

                
                                  






  







  



  
    
              
        
        
      
      
                        
          

Summary

ACM publishes its ‘Focus on the Digital Economy 2026’, explaining its focus areas for 2026.
In 2026, ACM focuses on the digital resilience of the Netherlands and Europe, more control for users over their own data, and an accessible and safe online environment for everyone.
In that context, ACM works closely together with other national and international regulators as well as with the European Commission.


  

  

    
      
          

      

  


                

  
    
            

From social media companies and online stores to cloud services: digitalization offers opportunities, but it also calls for strict oversight in order to ensure that markets function well, for people and businesses. In its ‘Focus on the Digital Economy 2026’, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) explains where it wishes to make a difference. In the coming year, ACM will focus in particular on the digital resilience of the Netherlands and Europe, more control for users over their own data, and an accessible and safe online environment for everyone. The part on the digital economy in ACM’s focus areas for 2026, which was published on January 26, has been fleshed out more in this Focus on the Digital Economy 2026.


Martijn Snoep, Chairman of the Board of ACM, explains: “Digital technology is indispensable to our economy and society. The current geopolitical developments show us the importance of not being completely dependent on a few very large firms with headquarters outside of the EU, and of having more control over our digital infrastructure. Digital autonomy starts with markets where businesses are able to choose and switch to companies that help realize that. That is why ACM is committed to opening up digital markets even further.”
Digital autonomy and resilience


The dependence on very large, mostly non-European tech companies calls for strict oversight: to prevent abuses, to safeguard competition, and to reduce our geopolitical vulnerabilities. ACM will launch a market investigation into the obstacles that businesses and organizations face when planning to reduce their dependence on certain cloud and IT services, and ACM will put forward recommendations for policymakers regarding strengthening the digital autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe. ACM will keep a close watch on the domestic market too. For example, ACM has launched a market investigation into digital educational tools in secondary education.
Sharing data


Since November 2025, ACM has been authorized to enforce compliance with the European Data Act. With this law, users have more control over data from ‘smart devices’. In addition, it becomes easier to switch cloud providers, and to link different cloud services to each other. This offers opportunities for more competition and innovation. ACM finds it important that businesses and people are aware of the rights and obligations laid down in the Data Act, which is why it will also heavily focus on education in the coming year. ACM will publish guidelines for manufacturers and other data holders. In addition, it will launch a market study into data-sharing in the automotive sector, examining what opportunities and challenges exist in that sector.
A safe and trustworthy online environment


Everything that is illegal offline is also illegal online. In that context, the protection of minors is a key priority for ACM. ACM is currently investigating whether the online platforms Snapchat and Roblox are taking sufficient measures for protecting minors. In 2026, ACM also continues its investigation into webhosting services. Webhosting companies, which make sure that websites and web applications are able to run on certain services, are responsible for handling reports about illegal content swiftly and properly. In the run-up to the Dutch municipal elections on March 18, ACM focuses heavily on educating council members (or candidate council members) about their rights under the Digital Services Act (DSA), and any reports about violations thereof will receive priority treatment.


In addition, ACM each year receives many reports about online stores, particularly about ‘dropshippers’ that deliver faulty products or fail to deliver the products at all, as well as about problems with returning products. That is why, in the coming year, it will educate online stores about the rules they need to comply with, and it will take strict action against online stores that violate the consumer rules. Also, ACM will look into businesses that use so-called deceptive designs or dark patterns. These techniques steer users in such a way that they end up making different choices than they would have made if they had been informed properly. In 2026, ACM will particularly focus on abuses in the gaming industry, in part because of their effects on the well-being of children. In addition, ACM will continue checking the digital accessibility of online stores and other online services. That is important because approximately 2.5 million Dutch experience obstacles when using digital services.
National and international cooperation


ACM is charged with enforcing compliance in the Netherlands with various digital laws, including the Digital Services Act, the Data Act, the Digital Markets Act, the European Accessibility Act, and the Platform-to-Business Regulation. In addition, general consumer law and competition law also apply to the online environment. Online abuses often fall under different statutory regimes, and digital services are often offered by businesses outside the Netherlands. That is why ACM works together with other Dutch regulators, fellow regulators in other EU member states, and with the European Commission. ACM is also the chair of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Platform (SDT), where different Dutch regulators work together to ensure that digital markets work well for people and businesses.
See also

Focus on the Digital Economy 2026 (in Dutch. An English translation will be published soon)
2026 ACM Agenda (in Dutch)
Focus areas of ACM’s oversight over the digital economy in 2025 | ACM


      

    
          
                                          
                                  
                        
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                10-03-2026
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                                          
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                Keywords
                  Digital economy

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Digital economy

ACM Outlines Digital Economy Focus Areas for 2026

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has released its 'Focus on the Digital Economy 2026', detailing its priorities for the upcoming year. The ACM aims to enhance digital resilience in the Netherlands and Europe, empower users with greater control over their data, and ensure a safe online environment for all.

ACM Chairman Martijn Snoep highlighted the importance of reducing dependence on large non-European tech firms, advocating for more open digital markets. The authority plans to conduct market investigations to identify barriers businesses face in diversifying their cloud and IT service providers.

With the enforcement of the European Data Act, ACM will focus on educating users about their rights regarding data from smart devices and will initiate a market study on data-sharing in the automotive sector. The authority is committed to ensuring that users can easily switch cloud providers and link different services.

ACM is also prioritizing the protection of minors online, investigating platforms like Snapchat and Roblox for their safety measures. The authority will educate online stores about compliance with consumer rules and address issues related to deceptive designs that mislead users.

Collaboration with national and international regulators is crucial for ACM, as it enforces various digital laws, including the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. The authority aims to ensure that digital markets function effectively for consumers and businesses alike.



ACM Outlines Digital Economy Focus Areas for 2026

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has published its strategic focus areas for the digital economy in 2026, emphasizing digital resilience, user data control, and online safety.