EU orders Google to open Android to rival AI assistants, share search data

The European Commission has issued a sweeping order requiring Google to open its Android operating system to rival artificial intelligence assistants and share search data with competitors. The directive, announced on Friday, marks a significant escalation in the bloc's regulation of Big Tech's AI ambitions.

Under the new specifications, Google must allow third-party AI assistants to operate on Android devices with the same system-level access that Google's own Assistant and Bard services enjoy. This includes access to core phone functions like microphone, camera, and notification services.

Search data sharing requirements

The order also forces Google to share anonymised search data with rival search engines and AI companies. The European Commission argues that Google's dominance in search gives it an unfair advantage in training AI models, which rely heavily on large datasets.

Rivals will be able to request data on search queries and click-through rates, provided user privacy is protected. The move is seen as an attempt to level the playing field in the rapidly evolving AI assistant market.

Extension of existing regulations

The new requirements build on the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which designated Google as a gatekeeper platform in 2023. The DMA already prohibits self-preferencing and requires interoperability, but the latest specifications explicitly extend these obligations to AI services.

Google had previously argued that its AI features were innovative and improved user experience. The company warned that opening up system-level access could compromise security and fragment the Android ecosystem.

Industry reaction and implications

Industry analysts say the EU order could reshape the smartphone AI landscape. Third-party assistants from companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and smaller European startups could now integrate directly into Android, bypassing Google's default services.

Some experts compared the move to the EU's earlier decision to force Google to offer users a choice of search engine and browser on Android. That ruling, which resulted in Google paying a €4.34 billion fine in 2018, led to a noticeable shift in user behaviour in Europe.

What this means for users

For Android users in the European Union, the immediate effect may be subtle. Over time, however, they could see prompts asking them to choose a default AI assistant, similar to the browser choice screen introduced years ago.

Google will need to implement technical changes to Android's architecture to allow seamless integration of third-party AI assistants. The European Commission has given the company a six-month deadline to submit a compliance plan.

The order does not apply to Apple's iOS, which is not designated as a gatekeeper under the DMA. This has led to criticism that the regulation unfairly targets Google while leaving Apple's closed ecosystem untouched.

Google has not yet announced whether it will appeal the decision. The company has previously challenged DMA-related rulings in European courts, with mixed results.

The next milestone is the compliance plan submission deadline in early 2027. Developers and rival AI companies will be watching closely to see how Google implements the changes and whether the European Commission deems the measures sufficient.