EU Commission and EDPB release stakeholder feedback on draft DMA–GDPR guidelines

The European Commission and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) have published the contributions received during a public consultation on draft guidelines that aim to clarify how two major EU digital laws, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), interact with each other.

The consultation attracted more than 100 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders. Participants included small and medium-sized enterprises, large technology companies classified as ‘gatekeepers’ under the DMA, civil society organisations, consumer groups, academic researchers, think tanks, legal experts, and individual citizens.

The initiative addresses an important question in European digital regulation. The DMA focuses on promoting fair competition in digital markets by placing obligations on large online platforms, while the GDPR protects individuals’ personal data and privacy rights. Because both laws affect how digital platforms collect and use data, companies and regulators have called for clearer guidance on how the two frameworks should be applied together.

According to the Commission and the EDPB, many respondents supported the effort to coordinate the enforcement of the two rules. Stakeholders highlighted the need for a consistent regulatory approach that protects fundamental rights, including data protection, while also ensuring that competition rules for digital markets are applied effectively.

The institutions are now reviewing the feedback to determine whether the draft guidance should be adjusted. The final joint guidelines are expected to be adopted in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the goal of providing greater legal clarity for both businesses operating in the EU and individuals whose data is processed by digital platforms.