Opera says DMA contributed to 5x growth of iOS users in Europe

Norway-based Opera announced today that its iOS user base in Europe has grown by as much as five times since the Digital Markets Act (DMA) took effect in 2024. Here are the details.

Thanks to the DMA, but not just the DMA

In a press release issued today, Opera said that in the 12 months ended last October, the company saw a 88% surge in daily active iOS users across Europe, thanks in part to the changes mandated by the DMA, which include a browser choice screen that is presented to European users when setting up a new device, and in a few other situations.

This growth followed a 57% overall jump in the first 12-month period, with key markets such as France seeing a 5-fold increase in active users since the introduction of the DMA.

Here’s Opera’s Executive Vice President of Mobile, Jørgen Arnesen, on the numbers released today:

“Fifteen years ago, Opera launched the first alternative to Apple Safari for the iPhone. After more than a decade of small digit growth, we saw an opportunity to revamp the browser two years ago, bringing several of our unique trademark Opera features such as free browser VPN to iOS users. (…) Since then, the combination of a relentless focus on unique browser innovations, a more leveled playing field in Europe, and focused marketing has created the highest growth product we have seen for years in our portfolio.”

Currently, Opera is listed on the browser choice screen in all 27 countries where the list is required. The company says that its European growth is the result of the DMA mandate, as well as its efforts to offer features such as in-browser VPN and novel AI capabilities.

To read Opera’s full press release, follow this link.

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