The European Commission has issued binding orders compelling Google to open its Android operating system and share search data with rival companies. These directives, enacted under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), aim to increase competition and provide European consumers with more choices in artificial intelligence services and search engines. Google must allow third-party AI assistants to access key Android features, enabling them to function comparably to Google's own Gemini and Google Assistant. This includes voice activation, interaction within apps for tasks like booking services, and providing chat replies. Currently, non-Google AI assistants have restricted access to these features, hindering their competitiveness on Android, which powers 60% of EU devices. Google has until July 2027 to implement these changes for Android.
In parallel, Google must share anonymized data collected from its search engine with rival search engines and AI chatbots. This data will include anonymized ranking, query, click, and view information, to be provided on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms. The aim is to allow competitors to improve their own search products and AI services. Data sharing is scheduled to commence in January 2027. The European Commission has specified safeguards, including suppression of rare or sensitive details and grouping users into bundles of at least 1,000 with removed identifiers, to protect user privacy. Only vetted firms with plans to enhance search capabilities will be eligible to receive this data, subject to independent audits.
European officials stated that these measures are intended to prevent large technology platforms from using their dominance to disadvantage competing services and to "rebalance the playing field". Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission's tech chief, expressed hope for emerging alternatives to Google's services, stating that EU users should benefit from greater choice.
Google has voiced objections to the orders, warning that the requirements could introduce significant risks to user privacy, device security, and national security. The company has argued that granting deep system-level permissions to external applications bypasses hardware safety measures and poses a security risk. The European Commission previously fined Google billions of euros over practices related to Android licensing and mobile search distribution, asserting that the company had used its dominant position to reinforce its search business. The DMA allows regulators to impose penalties of up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue for non-compliance.
This action is part of a broader regulatory push by the EU under the DMA, which targets "gatekeeper" technology companies to ensure fair competition in digital markets. Previous actions under the DMA have included mandates for Meta and further scrutiny of Android's choice screens.