EU orders Google to open Android and Search to rivals

{ "title": "EU orders Google to open Android and Search to rival AI assistants and search engines", "body": "The European Union ordered Google on Thursday to give rival AI assistants and search engines far greater access to its Android mobile operating system and its search engine, a sweeping regulatory intervention under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act that could reshape two of the most important platforms in technology.\n\nThe European Commission issued two separate decisions under the DMA, a law that designates dominant platforms as “gatekeepers” and requires them to give competitors comparable access to systems and data. The rulings target Google’s control over Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, and Google Search, the dominant internet search engine. The EU said the measures could weaken Google’s grip on those platforms, open up new opportunities for rivals, and shape the future of Google’s Gemini AI assistant.\n\nGoogle has until January 2027 to begin sharing search data with competing services, and until July 2027 to implement changes to Android. Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to 10% of Google’s annual worldwide turnover, a figure that could reach tens of billions of dollars.\n\n## Rival AI Assistants on Android and Search Data Sharing\n\nThe first decision requires Google to give rival AI assistants the same system features and data access that Gemini, Google’s own AI assistant, currently enjoys on Android. Under the order, Google must provide greater interoperability, meaning users will decide whether competing tools can access data and device hardware. The changes could allow rival assistants to interact with apps, respond to voice commands like “Hey Google,” and use phone hardware such as cameras and microphones.\n\nAndroid users could choose ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or other assistants as deeply integrated system assistants instead of Gemini. The EU said the measure aims to ensure fair competition in the market for AI assistants on Android devices.\n\nThe second proceeding orders Google to share search data with competing search engines and AI services, including AI chatbots that function as search engines. The data-sharing measure broadly echoes remedies ordered in the US search antitrust case, in which Google was instructed to share search information with rivals.\n\nThe EU said the measure is designed to give competing search engines and AI services access to the same kind of data that Google uses to power its own search results. The order could allow smaller search engines and AI startups to improve their services by using Google’s vast trove of search data.\n\nThe EU said there will be limits on how the search data can be used, and Google can vet which services get deeper Android access for safety and security reasons. The commission said the safeguards are intended to protect user privacy and security while still allowing competition to flourish.\n\n“With today’s measures, we want to support innovation and diversity in the European Union, enabling fair competition in the markets of AI assistant for Android devices and search engines,” said Henna Virkkunen, European Commission executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy.\n\nThe EU noted that AI chatbots effectively function as search engines in some cases, blurring the line between the two types of services. The Android decision is part of a broader effort to prevent Google from using its control over the operating system to favor its own AI products.\n\n## Google’s Pushback and Safeguards\n\nGoogle pushed back against the decisions, arguing that the requirements pose an unacceptable risk to user privacy and security and compromise its products. The company said it had repeatedly offered solutions to address the DMA’s goals without undermining user protections.\n\n“Today’s decisions risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans. We have repeatedly offered solutions to safeguard users while satisfying the DMA’s goals, but these rulings discount extensive evidence of user harm,” said Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, in a blog post.\n\nWalker said Google’s proposed alternatives were rejected by regulators, and that the company is concerned the rulings will force it to weaken security features that protect users from malicious apps and data misuse. The company has argued that opening up Android to rival AI assistants could allow bad actors to exploit system access to steal data or compromise devices.\n\nThe EU acknowledged Google’s concerns but said the decisions include safeguards. The commission said Google can vet which services receive deeper Android access to ensure they meet safety and security standards. The EU also said there will be limits on how search data can be used by competing services.\n\n## Broader Implications for Big Tech\n\nThe rulings come as the EU continues to enforce the DMA against the largest technology companies. Apple, another tech giant affected by similar DMA questions, has declined to release its Siri AI in Europe, explicitly blaming the DMA and arguing that interoperability requirements compromise user safety. The article noted that today’s rulings may indicate how Brussels will approach similar questions involving other tech giants like Apple.\n\nThe two decisions are separate but thematically similar. One focuses on rival AI assistants on Android, the other on competing search engines and AI chatbots accessing Google Search data. The EU said the measures are designed to support innovation and diversity in the European Union, enabling fair competition in both markets.\n\nUnlike a financial penalty, the procedures require Google to change how it operates to bring its services in line with the DMA. The proceedings developed through extensive engagement between the company and regulators, the EU said.\n\nThe decisions could have far-reaching consequences for Google and shape the future of Gemini, the company’s AI assistant. By forcing Google to open Android to rival AI assistants, the EU is effectively requiring the company to treat its own products the same as those of competitors. The data-sharing order could also weaken Google’s dominance in search by giving rivals access to the data that powers its search results.\n\n## Deadlines and Compliance\n\nGoogle has until January 2027 to begin sharing search data with competing services. That deadline gives the company roughly six months to implement the data-sharing requirements. The July 2027 deadline for Android changes gives Google about a year to redesign how its operating system handles rival AI assistants.\n\nThe EU said the deadlines are designed to give Google enough time to make the necessary changes without disrupting its services. The commission said it will monitor Google’s compliance closely and can impose fines if the company fails to meet the deadlines.\n\nThe fines for non-compliance can be up to 10% of Google’s annual worldwide turnover, which could amount to tens of billions of dollars. The EU has not yet indicated whether it will impose any fines related to the current decisions.\n\n## A New Era for AI Competition\n\nThe EU’s decisions mark a significant escalation in the regulatory battle over AI assistants and search engines. By forcing Google to open Android and Search to rivals, the bloc is attempting to create a more level playing field for smaller companies and startups.\n\nThe rulings could benefit companies like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Perplexity, which have been developing AI assistants that compete with Gemini. These companies could now gain access to Android system features and search data that were previously reserved for Google’s own products.\n\nThe EU said the measures are intended to support innovation and diversity in the European Union, enabling fair competition in the markets of AI assistant for Android devices and search engines. The commission said the decisions are a key part of its broader strategy to regulate the digital economy and ensure that dominant platforms do not stifle competition.\n\nGoogle has argued that the requirements could harm users by weakening privacy and security protections. The company said it will continue to work with regulators to address their concerns while protecting user safety.\n\nThe EU said it will continue to monitor the situation and can take further action if necessary. The commission said the decisions are a first step in ensuring that the DMA’s goals are met in the rapidly evolving AI market.\n\n## Related on Neura Market\n\n- Digital Markets Act enforcement updates\n- Google antitrust and competition cases\n- AI assistant market analysis" }