The Latin American Internet Association (ALAI), in collaboration with the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe), held the webinar “Europe’s DMA — Impacts for Brazil and Latin America,” bringing together specialists from Europe and Latin America to analyze how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is reshaping the global digital ecosystem — and what it means for the region.

The discussion explored key regulatory challenges, user experience trends, and lessons that may inform ongoing legislative debates in Brazil and Latin America.

Digital regulation landscape in the region

After introductory remarks and an overview of the agenda by Daniel Friedlaender (Senior Vice President & Head of Office, CCIA Europe), Maria Teresa Stecher (Senior Policy Manager, CCIA Europe) presented critical elements of the DMA and its potential effects on Latin American countries.
Raúl Echeberría (Executive Director, ALAI) highlighted the region’s growing interest in advancing regulatory frameworks for digital markets, referencing current legislative debates in Brazil, including PL 2768 and the recently introduced PL 4675.

Tensions and challenges of the DMA

Prof. Mikołaj Barczentewicz (University of Surrey) warned that the DMA may generate negative impacts on privacy and security by prioritizing competition among large platforms over user protection. He also noted that the drafting of the regulation lacked meaningful involvement from security experts, resulting in limited understanding of critical risks.

Consumer experience and available evidence

Stecher emphasized the need for robust data to evaluate the DMA’s real-world effects.
In this context, economist Kati Suominen (Founder & CEO, Nextrade Group) presented a study based on 5,000 European consumers, revealing that:

• Many believe their online experience worsened after the DMA.

• Two-thirds find it harder to access relevant content.

• A significant number would pay to regain functionalities removed under the DMA.

Brazilian perspective

Sérgio Garcia Alves (Public Policy Manager for Brazil, ALAI) stressed that any national regulation must be grounded in strong economic analysis and supported by institutional capacity.
He warned of risks in PL 4675, including the concentration of regulatory power and the fast-tracked process, which may restrict meaningful public debate.

Digital competition and structural challenges

Prof. Juliana Oliveira Domingues discussed the structural characteristics of digital markets in Latin America, defined by technological dependence and the need for updated antitrust frameworks.
She emphasized the importance of designing regulations tailored to local realities, protecting small businesses, strengthening competition, and ensuring real choices for consumers. She also cautioned against vague legal concepts that could lead to judicial interpretations disconnected from market dynamics.

To conclude, experts converged on a key message:
The region needs clear, evidence-based regulations that foster innovation, competition, and user protection, avoiding the blind replication of external models without contextual analysis.

The full webinar recording is available here: