The DMA, the EU's landmark policy, designed to limit the influence of tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Meta. To promote fair competition, it requires platforms to let users uninstall pre-installed apps and access third-party app stores. Companies are also barred from prioritizing their own products in search results or reusing personal data across services without explicit consent.
These rules prompted immediate changes, including choice menus for web browsers and search engines on smartphones. They also enabled features like allowing WhatsApp users to message people on rival apps. The burden of proof now rests with tech giants, requiring them to comply or face significant fines. However, these requirements have also introduced some friction, making certain digital tasks more cumbersome.
