Economists – assemble! This might have been the unofficial theme of the workshop on “The Economics of the DMA” hosted by the European Commission on 22-23 September 2025 in Brussels. In preparation of its DMA evaluation, the European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC) had assembled economic expertise from around the world to discuss the Regulation’s […]
SCiDA Submits Comprehensive Recommendations for the Digital Markets Act Review
The SCiDA Project has submitted its response to the European Commission’s consultation on the 2025 review of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Our detailed recommendations, available at SSRN, draw on two years of comparative research analyzing digital markets regulation across the EU, UK, and Germany. A Strong Start Requiring Bolder Action We assess the DMA […]
The Second Round of DMA Compliance Workshops – Compliance Progress or Slowdown?
During the last days, we witnessed the second round of the most public aspect of DMA enforcement: the DMA Compliance Workshops. Now in their second year, these events are shaping up to be an annual tradition in which the Commission convenes gatekeepers, their business users, competitors, and other stakeholders. The contrast between last year’s buzz […]
Bye-Bye Behavioral Ads: How the DMA is breaking Meta’s Business Model
Pay or consent: Meta got slapped with a € 200 non-compliance fine—but the real story is what comes next. The Commission’s Article 5(2) decision could rewrite the future of behavioral advertising. Curious how this will reshape Meta’s business model? Dive into our latest blog for the full story. By Team SCiDA Meta’s “pay or consent” […]
Apple’s Anti-Steering Aches: Key Takeaways from the first DMA Non-Compliance Decision
The European Commission has published its first-ever DMA non-compliance decision—and Apple is the unlucky (or lucky, depending on how you look at it) first subject. In a 68-page takedown, the Commission unpacks Apple’s creative approach to steering restrictions: multiple business terms, multiple hoops for developers to jump through, and a web of conditions that, in […]
Better late than never: DMA Non-Compliance Day
The long-awaited first non-compliance decisions under the DMA are finally out. Apple and Meta have been fined EUR 500 and 200 million respectively. While everyone can now be relieved that DMA enforcement has not been consigned to oblivion (or turned into a counter-tariff bargaining chip), a few question marks remain. To start with the obvious: […]
This is no big deal: Europe must stand strong on Big Tech
Europe must stand strong on Big Tech and enforce the DMA, say Monika Schnitzer and Rupprecht Podszun. They also argue in favour of an independent European enforcement agency.
Decision Day: The German Federal Court of Justice confirms Apple’s paramount significance for competition across markets under Sec. 19a para. 1 GWB
Another victory for the Bundeskartellamt! The German Supreme Court (BGH) confirmed that Apple is an undertaking of paramount significance for competition across markets (UPSCAM) pursuant to Sec. 19a para. 1 GWB. Although the full decision is not out yet, today’s press release already gives us an idea of what the BGH has been thinking about […]
One Year of DMA Compliance: Time to Grade the Homework
One Year of DMA Compliance: Time to Grade the Homework The digital gatekeepers have provided their second round of compliance reports to the DMA units in the European Commission. Our SCiDA Team took a close look. Here is our report! Big Tech’s DMA homework is in—and it spans a whopping 1214 pages. From detailed disclosures […]
A Report from the Court Room Part II: Apple’s paramount significance for competition across markets on trial
Germany had its second and, for the moment, last round of hearings concerning a designation by the Bundeskartellamt under Sec. 19a para. 1 GWB! A lot of what was discussed seemed like a déjà-vu for those who have followed Amazon’s line of arguments back in April 2024. But the hardware icon Apple has also tried […]