Updated · Computer and Communications Industry Association · Jun 10
Experts Question DMA Fit for Europe’s €Cloud Market as Commission Weighs Gatekeeper Labels
Updated
Updated · Computer and Communications Industry Association · Jun 10
Experts Question DMA Fit for Europe’s €Cloud Market as Commission Weighs Gatekeeper Labels
1 articles · Updated · Computer and Communications Industry Association · Jun 10
Summary
European Digital Competition Day panelists said the Digital Markets Act may be a poor fit for cloud computing, arguing the sector works more like B2B infrastructure than a consumer platform market.
Matthias Bauer of ECIPE urged regulators to judge competition by customers’ ability to switch, exit and run multi-cloud setups, warning rigid interoperability mandates could create security risks in complex systems.
Amazon’s Chris Meyers said AWS removed egress fees 2 years ago under the Data Act and is adding multi-cloud tools, arguing AI-driven “neoclouds” and European rivals show the market remains dynamic.
Spain’s CNMC said its cloud market study is finding concerns over lock-in, interoperability and switching barriers, but Pedro Hinojo argued antitrust enforcement and national DMA monitoring can already address harmful conduct.
BELTUG’s Daniëlle Jacobs said business users still face bundling, pricing and contract imbalances, even as they expect the Data Act’s egress-fee ban from January 1 to improve resilience and mobility.
Is the EU's Digital Markets Act a vital check on Big Tech or a dangerous misfit for the cloud?
Will Europe’s cloud regulations stifle its AI ambitions by limiting access to vital infrastructure?
Will mandating cloud interoperability for competition's sake create massive new cybersecurity risks for European businesses?
Europe’s Regulatory Surge: The DMA, Data Act, and the Future of Cloud Competition
Overview
The European Union is expanding its Digital Markets Act (DMA) to cover the cloud computing sector, launching investigations into whether Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services act as 'important gateways.' If these providers meet the criteria, they will be added to the list of core platform services and face strict gatekeeper obligations already applied to other digital giants. The Commission aims to finish these investigations by late 2026. This move aligns with broader international scrutiny of the cloud market and signals the EU’s intent to ensure fair competition and prevent anti-competitive practices in the rapidly growing cloud industry.