Enhancing Autonomy of Online Users in the Digital Markets Act

Abstract

An increased movement towards developing digital fundamental rights can be observed. This includes a call for amplified autonomy of online users. This chapter defines the right to autonomy in the digital environment and assesses different dimensions of autonomy as a concept. This is done by identifying these dimensions in the Digital Markets Act (hereinafter DMA) the sectoral regulation of large online platforms that has recently entered the EU scene. The chapter identifies two dimensions of autonomy in the DMA: self-empowering as to data gathering and autonomy as being free from manipulation. The chapter also offers some recommendations as to how to tackle autonomy in a digital environment.