The European Union has ordered Google to comply with the Digital Markets Act by opening its Android and Search platforms to rivals. By July 2027, Google must allow competing AI assistants deeper integration into Android, including via voice commands. By January 2027, it must also share anonymized search data with competitors. The EU aims to foster competition, while Google warns the changes risk user privacy and security.
EU Digital Markets Act compliance
- ▪The EU's decision is binding and follows "specification proceedings" to help Google comply with the DMA
- ▪EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said the measures aim to support innovation and fair competition in the EU
- ▪The European Union ordered Google to change its Android and Search services to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA)
- ▪The DMA requires dominant "gatekeeper" platforms to provide competitors with comparable access to their systems and data
Android AI assistant interoperability
- ▪The Android changes require Google to open up 11 features, giving rivals "equal footing" with Google's Gemini AI
- ▪Users must be able to activate rival AI assistants via voice commands, similar to the "hey Google" command
- ▪The required changes to the Android operating system must be implemented by July 2027
- ▪Google must allow rival AI assistants deeper integration into its Android operating system
Google Search data sharing
- ▪The EU's order includes a formula to calculate the price for the shared search data
- ▪Google must share anonymized search data with competing search engines and AI chatbots
- ▪The search data sharing requirement is set to be implemented by January 2027
User privacy concerns
- ▪Google's lawyer, Kent Walker, stated the EU's decision risks undermining privacy and security for European users
- ▪Google will be allowed to vet rival services for security and privacy criteria before granting them deeper access to Android
- ▪The European Commission stated its measures include robust safeguards to protect user privacy and device security
Tech industry competition effects
- ▪The EU's order is intended to prevent Google from leveraging its dominant Android user base to undercut AI competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic
- ▪Android's operating system powers about 60% of all smartphones in the European Union
- ▪Apple has cited the DMA's interoperability requirements as its reason for not releasing its new Siri AI features in Europe
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