One month after the Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into force, Norwegian browser and CODE member Opera has reported a 63% spike in new monthly users on iOS across Europe. The results don’t stop here – Opera is increasingly being chosen as the default browser on iOS, with 39% growth from March 3rd until April 4th.

These results showcase the power of effective DMA implementation. In allowing consumers to opt out of pre-installed browsers, the DMA is empowering Europeans to choose the services which best suit their needs. Opera offers a user-centric experience, with features such as built-in ad and tracker blockers, a free VPN, and an innovative browser AI, Aria. CODE is excited to see users realising these benefits. 

“As a challenger browser, Opera has always had to work hard to stand out in an uneven marketplace,” said Jørgen Arnsen, EVP Mobile at Opera. “Now that the DMA regulation is working to even the playing field, we’re excited to see that it has become easier for users to express their browser choice and for that choice to be respected.”

At CODE, consumer empowerment is one of the key principles built into the fabric of our coalition. We believe users should be able to freely select, use, and seamlessly move across a range of connected devices and services – from smartphones to wearables, regardless of brands or operating systems – and customise their experience by choosing their own preferred defaults, be they apps, payment systems, or online services. Users should be able to move from one ecosystem to another other with ease, taking with them all important data and content without cost using agreed open industry standards.