Focus areas of ACM’s oversight over the digital economy in 2026

From social media companies and online stores to cloud services: digitalization offers opportunities, but it also calls for strict oversight in order to ensure that markets function well, for people and businesses. In its 'Focus on the Digital Economy 2026', the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) explains where it wishes to make a difference. In the coming year, ACM will focus in particular on the digital resilience of the Netherlands and Europe, more control for users over their own data, and an accessible and safe online environment for everyone. The part on the digital economy in ACM's focus areas for 2026, which was published on January 26, has been fleshed out more in this Focus on the Digital Economy 2026.

Martijn Snoep, Chairman of the Board of ACM, explains: "Digital technology is indispensable to our economy and society. The current geopolitical developments show us the importance of not being completely dependent on a few very large firms with headquarters outside of the EU, and of having more control over our digital infrastructure. Digital autonomy starts with markets where businesses are able to choose and switch to companies that help realize that. That is why ACM is committed to opening up digital markets even further."

Digital autonomy and resilience

The dependence on very large, mostly non-European tech companies calls for strict oversight: to prevent abuses, to safeguard competition, and to reduce our geopolitical vulnerabilities. ACM will launch a market investigation into the obstacles that businesses and organizations face when planning to reduce their dependence on certain cloud and IT services, and ACM will put forward recommendations for policymakers regarding strengthening the digital autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe. ACM will keep a close watch on the domestic market too. For example, ACM has launched a market investigation into digital educational tools in secondary education.

Sharing data

Since November 2025, ACM has been authorized to enforce compliance with the European Data Act. With this law, users have more control over data from 'smart devices'. In addition, it becomes easier to switch cloud providers, and to link different cloud services to each other. This offers opportunities for more competition and innovation. ACM finds it important that businesses and people are aware of the rights and obligations laid down in the Data Act, which is why it will also heavily focus on education in the coming year. ACM will publish guidelines for manufacturers and other data holders. In addition, it will launch a market study into data-sharing in the automotive sector, examining what opportunities and challenges exist in that sector.

A safe and trustworthy online environment

Everything that is illegal offline is also illegal online. In that context, the protection of minors is a key priority for ACM. ACM is currently investigating whether the online platforms Snapchat and Roblox are taking sufficient measures for protecting minors. In 2026, ACM also continues its investigation into webhosting services. Webhosting companies, which make sure that websites and web applications are able to run on certain services, are responsible for handling reports about illegal content swiftly and properly. In the run-up to the Dutch municipal elections on March 18, ACM focuses heavily on educating council members (or candidate council members) about their rights under the Digital Services Act (DSA), and any reports about violations thereof will receive priority treatment.

In addition, ACM each year receives many reports about online stores, particularly about 'dropshippers' that deliver faulty products or fail to deliver the products at all, as well as about problems with returning products. That is why, in the coming year, it will educate online stores about the rules they need to comply with, and it will take strict action against online stores that violate the consumer rules. Also, ACM will look into businesses that use so-called deceptive designs or dark patterns. These techniques steer users in such a way that they end up making different choices than they would have made if they had been informed properly. In 2026, ACM will particularly focus on abuses in the gaming industry, in part because of their effects on the well-being of children. In addition, ACM will continue checking the digital accessibility of online stores and other online services. That is important because approximately 2.5 million Dutch experience obstacles when using digital services.

National and international cooperation

ACM is charged with enforcing compliance in the Netherlands with various digital laws, including the Digital Services Act, the Data Act, the Digital Markets Act, the European Accessibility Act, and the Platform-to-Business Regulation. In addition, general consumer law and competition law also apply to the online environment. Online abuses often fall under different statutory regimes, and digital services are often offered by businesses outside the Netherlands. That is why ACM works together with other Dutch regulators, fellow regulators in other EU member states, and with the European Commission. ACM is also the chair of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Platform (SDT), where different Dutch regulators work together to ensure that digital markets work well for people and businesses.

See also

• Focus on the Digital Economy 2026 (in Dutch. An English translation will be published soon)
• 2026 ACM Agenda (in Dutch)
• Focus areas of ACM's oversight over the digital economy in 2025 | ACM