Google will have to allow its rival’s AI assistants to run on Android like its own Gemini does. You should also hand over some of your search data to your competitors. The European Commission established both requirements on Thursday.
The two decisions are framed in the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). the Commission said. The law requires “gatekeeper” platforms to give their rivals access comparable to theirs. They are binding specification measures, not fines, and they detail what Google must do.
“We expect to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google’s artificial intelligence services, such as Gemini,” said Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s chief technology officer. EU users should enjoy more options, he added.
Rival AI on Android
The first decision concerns AI assistants. Today, the Commission said, non-Google assistants only have restricted access to key Android features. That holds them back with 60% of EU users on Android.
Google will have to allow users to choose a preferred assistant and activate it via voice, like they do with Gemini. These assistants must also be able act within applicationsfor example to book a taxi or suggest responses to the chat. Google has until July 2027 to make changes to Android.
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Share search data
The second decision concerns the search. Subject to anonymization, Google must share the same data it collects to improve its own search with rival engines and AI chatbots. The goal, the EU said, is to “rebalance the playing field.” Data sharing begins in January 2027.
The Commission also established safeguards, The Registry reported. Records with rare or sensitive details would be deleted, users would be grouped into packages of at least 1,000, and identifiers would be removed. Only vetted companies with plans to improve search could receive the data, under independent audits. Google has a say in what you share.
Google Objects
Google is not happy, as it has been with most of the EU rulings against it. Its president of global affairs, Kent Walker, said in a statement that the decisions “risk undermining vital security and privacy barriers for millions of Europeans.”
“Europeans’ private searches would be exposed to unknown companies, without proper anonymization…without the user’s knowledge or consent,” Walker said. He argued that the changes would “weaken citizens’ privacy, put companies’ trade secrets at risk, and jeopardize national security.”
The Commission says that its anonymization is strong. Google can also deny data to any company that poses serious security risks, it notes.
Part of a broader push
The order is the EU’s latest measure against Big Tech under the WFD. Brussels has already told Meta to remove addictive features and pushed Google to open your Play Store to your rivals. Regulators have also put a circle around Android choice screens.
If Google does not comply, the Commission can fine it up to 10% of its global annual turnover. The DMA has also drawn opposition from the Trump administration, which argues it unfairly targets American companies. The pointed edge Google won a longer lead than Apple, which must make its Siri AI compatible before it launches on the block.
