Focus areas of ACM’s oversight over the digital economy in 2025

May 12, 2025: In 2025, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) focuses on fair access to online markets, protection of online users, and sharing data reliably to promote innovation. This is what ACM has announced in its Focus on the Digital Economy 2025. The part on the digital economy in ACM’s focus areas for 2025, which was published on February 5, has been fleshed out more in this Focus on the Digital Economy 2025.

Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of ACM, explains: "We are now officially authorized to enforce various digital laws. That means that we can truly work on a secure and fair digital economy. That calls for closer cooperation with national and international partners, clear policy choices, and a sharp focus on social problems. Only then are we able to conduct effective oversight in a digital world that is changing rapidly. We will give priority to, among other topics, the protection of minors against online abuse and deception. We will also focus on education and enforcement vis-à-vis webhosting companies. We have many of those in the Netherlands, and they can and have to do more to counter the spread of illegal content."

Fair access to online markets for people and businesses

ACM was recently authorized to enforce compliance with several new European laws, including the Platform-to-Business Regulation, the Digital Services Act, and the Digital Markets Act. Following these new jurisdictions, ACM is conducting several investigations. For example, ACM in 2025 will complete an investigation into a specific online platform that possibly abuses its dominant position in the Netherlands. In addition, an investigation is launched into a software firm that possibly abuses a dominant position.

ACM closely work together with the European Commission and other European regulators on the implementation of the Data Act. This regulation offers users more rights when it comes to switching and using cloud services of multiple cloud providers. In addition, ACM is working on education for users to remind their of their rights with regard to switching and the combined use of cloud services.
Safe and accessible online environments: protecting online users

In 2025, ACM focuses on enforcement actions against online deception, for example against businesses that use fake reviews in order to have their products and services look better than they truly are. In addition, ACM looks at businesses that use ‘deceptive designs’ or ‘dark patterns.’ Such techniques steer users in such a way that they make different choices than they would have done if they had been completely informed. In that context, ACM looks at the impact of these practices on the health of children.

The Netherlands has a large hosting sector. ACM investigates and take enforcement action, if necessary, against webhosters that do not take responsibility for combating illegal content. In addition, ACM will check proactively whether online platforms have general terms and conditions that are easily available, which is required under the DSA, and will confront them, if necessary. Also, ACM will launch an investigation into computer-aided consumer prices. Developments in technology and availability of online data have resulted in prices being determined more and more often by algorithms instead of by human employees. As a result, prices respond faster to supply and demand. This is not always visible to people and businesses. ACM wishes to have more insight into the use of and the potential harm caused by algorithmic pricing.

Sharing data securely and reliably for innovation

The new European Data Act gives consumers and businesses that generate data themselves (through the use of smart devices, for example) access to that data as well as the opportunity to share this data with third parties so that it can be used (or reused). By registering data intermediary service providers and data-altruistic organizations, users get the certainty that the data is checked and that the data is secure. ACM in 2025 will publish guidelines, which offer manufacturers and other data holders information about the new rights and obligations when sharing data. 

National and international collaborations

Digital services and online environments transcend national borders, and are rapidly developing. That is why ACM closely collaborates with other Dutch regulators, with regulators from other EU countries, and with the European Commission. For example, ACM is the initiator and chair of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Platform (SDT), in which 11 other Dutch regulators also participate. ACM also participates in various international European networks.