Statement from Mike Sax, founder and chairperson of ACT | The App Association, on the 7 March deadline for gatekeepers to comply with obligations set forth by the Digital Markets Act (‘DMA’):

‘Today begins a new chapter for app users and developers across the EU. The implementation and enforcement of the DMA will be an ongoing journey, rather than a single event.

‘App creators look forward to learning about the prospects offered by new app marketplaces. We urge the European Commission and the gatekeepers to ensure that violators of user privacy and security continue to be blocked, allowing EU citizens to confidently download apps, even from SMEs and startups with unfamiliar brands. We also want the Commission and the gatekeepers to keep fighting intellectual property (IP) theft and imitation.

‘The App Association recognizes the Commission’s continued efforts to include all parties, ensuring that the DMA’s implementation and oversight are fair and consider everyone involved’.