The Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) published new research on both the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) earlier this week. The research offers insights into the first year of DMA implementation: arguing, for example, that trust among those impacted by the DMA must be significantly improved through more multilateral regulatory dialogues, information level playing field and more clarity on compliance acceptability. In parallel, CERRE’s work on the DSA provides recommendations on how to better protect children online.
DMA@1: Reflections and Recommendations
The DMA’s first year has brought tangible results, offering new opportunities for business users and increased choices for end-users. However, CERRE’s research illustrates that the implementation process has also revealed significant challenges for regulators, regulated companies, and large platforms’ users -and a need to build more trust between them.
CERRE recommends the Commission to:
- improve transparency and dialogue, for example by encouraging more inclusive governance mechanisms,
- deliver more predictability with clearer enforcement priorities and expectations of gatekeepers;
- simplify institutional arrangements by creating an independent enforcement body within the European Commission;
- strengthen collaboration between national and EU-level regulators.
Looking forward, the report stresses the importance of preparing for the DMA evaluation in 2026. To prepare for this, the Commission needs to establish indicators of success and involve an independent body in the evaluation process to ensure its impartiality and thoroughness.
Explore CERRE’s DMA research here.
DSA Implementation Forum: Protection of Minors
The Digital Services Act (DSA) requires online platforms and search engines to enhance child safety and privacy. Implementing these rules presents both technical and regulatory challenges. CERRE’s research on the DSA addresses these issues by providing a framework for safeguarding minors online through:
- Age-Appropriate Design: Ensuring platforms integrate child safety by default with clear principles and best practices.
- Age Assurance: Evaluating EU and global approaches to age verification and advocating for clearer, harmonised standards.
- Policy Recommendations: Outlining evidence-based solutions to strengthen online child protection while maintaining a fair and open digital space.
Read the full research here.
Key Takeaways from the Digital Platforms Summit 2025
On 27 March 2025, CERRE hosted the Digital Platforms Summit, bringing together policymakers, industry experts, regulators, and civil society to assess the first phase of DMA and DSA enforcement. Discussions focused on gatekeeper compliance and the Commission’s enforcement actions.
Reflecting on these challenges, CERRE’s Academic Director, Alexandre De Streel, emphasised the need for a more structured and collaborative approach: “The Commission should prioritise multilateral dialogue over parallel bilateral discussions. Gatekeepers must improve compliance with better compliance reports and more active role of compliance officers, and business users should align expectations to ensure the DMA delivers on its promises.”
Watch the full recording of the Digital Platforms Summit here.
