The Digital Markets Act (DMA) - implications for data protection officers in Germany

The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) is intended to create fair competitive conditions for digital markets and limit the power of so-called “gatekeepers”. The DMA brings new challenges and opportunities for data protection officers in Germany.

On the one hand, data protection officers benefit from clearer rules on data processing and transparency requirements for large platform operators. Companies such as Google or Meta must give users more control over their data and promote interoperability. This simplifies the work of data protection experts who are responsible for GDPR compliance.

On the other hand, data protection officers must increasingly monitor whether the new DMA requirements harmonize with existing data protection laws. The increased use of third-party services could also lead to additional audits. The DMA therefore strengthens data protection, but at the same time requires close cooperation with other supervisory authorities and continuous training in order to implement the new regulations effectively.