The European Union has launched its most ambitious digital legislation yet, the Digital Markets and Services Act (DMSA), which came into full effect this month. The new rules promise to change how tech giants operate and improve the online experience for consumers.
“This is the most significant overhaul of digital regulations since the internet became mainstream,” says EU Commissioner Margrete Vestager. “We’re rebalancing power between big tech and European citizens.”
But what does this mean for you? Let’s break it down.
Your Phone, Your Choice
Ever bought a smartphone only to find it loaded with apps you didn’t ask for and couldn’t remove? The EU has had enough of that. Under the DMSA, device manufacturers must let users uninstall nearly any pre-installed app. Apple has already started rolling out iOS updates that allow Europeans to remove apps like Safari and the App Store.
“It’s like buying a house and finally being allowed to remove that hideous wallpaper the previous owner left behind,” jokes consumer rights advocate Helena Dalli.
The new regulations also promote “interoperability,” meaning different services must work together. Soon, you might be able to send messages from WhatsApp to Signal without needing both apps, making communication smoother across platforms.
The Right to Repair (For Real This Time)
One of the most revolutionary aspects of the new rules is the strengthened right to repair. Manufacturers must now provide repair manuals, spare parts, and tools to independent repair shops for up to ten years after a product’s release.
For example, when a colleague’s premium laptop screen cracked last year, the manufacturer quoted £900 for repairs. Now, local repair shops can access the same parts at wholesale prices, potentially reducing repair costs by up to 60%.
Tech companies aren’t happy with this change. One anonymous executive complained: “We’ve spent decades perfecting the art of planned obsolescence, and the EU just tossed our playbook out the window.” These changes represent a rare win for consumers, and while it will take time to implement, the digital landscape is shifting in favor of the people who actually use the technology, not just those who profit from it.