On 2 June 2026, the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee held an exchange of views with Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera on the institutional aspects of AI and the state of implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Ribera reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to robust enforcement, noting that the first DMA review found the regulation fit for purpose but too early for major legislative changes. She highlighted concrete results: easier switching between iPhone and Android, browser choice screens that boosted Firefox daily active users by 113% in the EU, and a Latvian messaging platform interoperating with WhatsApp. She announced ongoing specification proceedings on Google's search data access and Android features, and investigations into whether Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure should be designated as gatekeepers for cloud services. Ribera stressed creating a 'culture of compliance' but warned the Commission would not bow to geopolitical pressure.
MEPs raise concerns on enforcement speed and deterrence
Pablo Arias Echeverría (EPP) asked how the EU can compete with the US and China on AI while reconciling energy demands with climate goals. Maria Grapini (S&D) questioned whether gatekeepers have fundamentally changed behaviour or are delaying via litigation, and called for measurable indicators of consumer and business benefits. Sandro Gozi (Renew) argued enforcement is too slow, risking deterrence, and asked whether the DMA should cover more players. Reinier van Lanschot (Greens-EFA) proposed an independent digital enforcement agency to speed up cases and resist external pressure, and asked how non-compliance can be made more costly than compliance.
Ribera defends due process, flags interim measures
Ribera defended the Commission's due process, noted that interim measures are increasingly important, and said the DMA's qualitative approach can already cover cloud and AI without legislative change. She also linked the upcoming Tech Sovereignty package (announced 3 June) to cloud capacity and energy sovereignty.
Broad support but divergences on pace and structure
The exchange highlighted broad support for the DMA but divergences on enforcement speed, resources, and the need for structural reforms. Next steps include the Commission's cloud designation decisions and continued specification proceedings. Affected stakeholders include gatekeepers (Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft), competing digital firms, consumers, and EU institutions.
Impact on stakeholders
Gatekeepers face continued regulatory scrutiny and potential new obligations if cloud services are designated, increasing compliance costs. Competing digital firms benefit from interoperability and choice screens, gaining market access. Consumers gain more choice and switching options, but may face slower innovation if enforcement delays deter investment. EU institutions face pressure to accelerate enforcement and consider structural reforms, balancing due process with deterrence.
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