Brussels: The Digital Fairness Act is due from the European Commission in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the sources reviewed show no proposal yet. The Commission Work Programme for 2026, COM(2025) 870, announced the law to curb manipulative online design. Time is running out for the Digital Fairness Act to arrive before the year ends.
The European Parliament’s Legislative Train page says the law should tackle dark patterns, marketing by social media influencers, addictive design of digital products and unfair personalisation, especially where consumer vulnerabilities are exploited. It should also streamline obligations for businesses, notably by reviewing some consumer information requirements.
The groundwork is long. A fitness check of three consumer directives, published in October 2024, found that the existing rules apply to digital settings but leave gaps. A public consultation opened on 17 July 2025 and, after an extension to 24 October 2025, drew 4,324 valid responses, according to the law firm Heuking.
The expected content is specific. Heuking’s August 2026 briefing lists pre-selected paid add-ons, countdown time pressure and cancellation processes far harder than sign-up as typical dark patterns. It also points to virtual currencies in games, where real money becomes coins or gems, as a target for rules on addictive design.
Personalisation and influencers follow. The Digital Fairness Act is expected to demand more transparency for personalised prices, recommendations and offers, and clearer advertising labels from influencers, with a particular focus on minors. Consumers should also gain simple, easily accessible ways to cancel digital subscriptions, according to both the Parliament page and Heuking.
Positions are already set. The consumer groups BEUC and vzbv want an ambitious law, while games providers such as Supercell and InnoGames warn against extra rules. The Parliament page says TikTok argued that further regulation is needed only to a very limited degree.
Legal overlap will test the drafters. Article 25 of the Digital Services Act already bans manipulative interface design, so Heuking expects the Digital Fairness Act to add detail and draw a clear line with that law. Heuking also notes that the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation is under review in 2026, with central EU enforcement powers under discussion.
Neither source names the responsible commissioner or confirms an adoption date, and the Parliament page carries no last-updated date. Companies that run apps, games, marketplaces and subscription services should audit their sign-up and cancellation flows now, because the Digital Fairness Act will set the standard for design choices across the single market once the Commission publishes its text.
