DMA spurs 15-fold growth
Cyprus-based Aloha Browser on Wednesday reported an impressive surge in European downloads, experiencing up to 15-fold growth in the year following the implementation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Founder of Aloha Browser, Andrew Frost Moroz, attributed the company’s rapid growth to both regulatory changes and Cyprus’ conducive business environment.
“Cyprus’ progressive business environment and strategic government initiatives to attract global talent have been instrumental in accelerating Aloha Browser’s growth,” he said exclusively to the Cyprus Mail.
“The country’s favourable tax regime, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly regulations create an ideal ecosystem for tech innovation,” he added.
The DMA, which became fully applicable to designated gatekeepers in March 2024, introduced browser choice screens on iOS and Android devices, allowing users to select their preferred browser.
This measure has played a pivotal role in reshaping the competitive landscape of the mobile browser market.
“We’re excited to see consistent growth throughout the entire year since the DMA was enacted in Europe,” said Frost Moroz.
“Aloha experienced a 2.5 times rise in downloads within the first month after the initial launch of the choice screen,” he continued. “Rather than being a temporary spike, Aloha’s growth continued steadily upward throughout the year.”
The increase in downloads has been particularly strong in key European markets, including Italy, where the browser saw up to 15x growth, Poland with 12x growth, and France and Spain, both registering 10x growth.
Furthermore, the company said that Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden also reported substantial increases.
Beyond the rise in downloads, Aloha has observed a robust increase in user loyalty, with consumers who actively selected the browser through the DMA’s choice screen proving to be twice as loyal as those who discovered the app organically.
“This is the best testament that our customers are pleased with what we offer,” Frost Moroz noted.
“The most in-demand features are the advanced bespoke VPN, unique media player, superior ad block, and private AI assistant,” he added.
The company also pointed out that the DMA’s impact extends beyond market competition, fostering innovation within the industry.
Frost Moroz emphasised that the regulatory changes have spurred new developments in browser technology.
“This EU initiative is not only creating a level playing field by giving emerging companies a real shot at success but also accelerating and boosting innovation in a market that has become conservative,” he said.
“Independent browsers can successfully compete with tech giants by creating cutting-edge solutions and approaches, keeping the major market players on their toes and ultimately benefiting consumers,” he added.
One such innovation is Aloha’s Cookie Consent Management (CCM) system, introduced three months ago.
The system, which streamlines cookie consent management at the browser level, has since been adopted by other industry players.
“Now, more internet platforms allow users to manage cookie consent once at the browser level, rather than the time-consuming process for each individual website,” Frost Moroz explained. “As a result, users reap benefits of greater privacy and a more user-friendly surfing experience.”
The success of the DMA is part of a broader global movement towards regulating digital markets. Similar initiatives are being developed worldwide, including the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC), which partially came into force in January 2025, with additional provisions expected in April.
The United States, China, Japan, India, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and South Korea are among other countries exploring similar regulatory frameworks.
“This global wave of digital market regulation marks a pivotal moment for the internet,” Frost Moroz mentioned.
He also said that “it’s not just about breaking up monopolies—it’s about unlocking a new era of innovation and choice for users worldwide”.
“We appreciate the EU regulators’ measures and believe the next steps should focus on improving data portability, making browser switching seamless,” stated the Aloha Browser founder.
“This includes ensuring smooth transfer of all user-created settings—from sorted bookmarks and their colour coding to passwords and addresses,” he added.
“On our end, we remain steadfastly committed to creating a more innovative and user-friendly internet for everyone,” he concluded.