EU orders Google to open Android, Search to rivals under DMA

The European Commission has issued a sweeping order requiring Google to open up its Android mobile operating system and search data to rivals, citing the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decision, announced on Saturday, sets new specifications for how the tech giant must comply with EU competition rules.

Under the order, Google will have to grant third-party AI assistants access to Android, allowing them to operate alongside or in place of Google's own services. The company must also share search data with competitors, with the requirement taking effect from January 2027.

Android opens up to AI assistants

The most immediate impact of the order is on Android. Google must now allow rival AI assistants to be installed as default options on Android devices, and give them access to core system functions. This means users could choose assistants from companies like OpenAI or Microsoft over Google's Gemini.

Third-party app stores will also get equal footing on Android. Google has long controlled the distribution of apps through its Play Store, but the EU order forces the company to allow competing stores to be pre-installed and promoted. The move mirrors earlier DMA requirements applied to Apple's iOS.

Search data sharing from 2027

The search data sharing requirement is a major shift. Starting January 2027, Google must provide rival search engines with access to its search click and query data. The data will be anonymised but detailed enough for competitors to improve their own search algorithms.

The European Commission said the timeline gives Google time to build the necessary technical infrastructure. Rivals have long complained that Google's dominance in search is reinforced by its exclusive access to user behaviour data. The order aims to level the playing field.

Google responds cautiously

Google has not yet issued a detailed response to the order. In previous statements, the company has argued that sharing search data could compromise user privacy and security. It has also warned that opening Android too broadly could fragment the ecosystem.

Industry analysts note that Google has been more adaptable to EU regulations than Apple. The company has already made changes to Android in Europe, including offering users a choice of default search engines. The Verge recently noted that Google is "better than Apple at playing the AI regulations game."

What this means for users

For European Android users, the changes could mean more choices for AI assistants and app stores by late 2026 or early 2027. Search results might also improve for rival engines as they gain access to Google's data.

However, the full impact depends on implementation. The Commission will monitor Google's compliance closely. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to 10% of Google's global annual turnover.

The order is part of a broader EU push to rein in Big Tech under the DMA. Similar requirements have been placed on Apple, Meta, and Amazon. The next major deadline for Google is January 2027, when the search data sharing must begin. How the company adapts its products by then will determine whether the EU's intervention reshapes the market as intended.