EU Forces Google to Open Android under Digital Markets Act
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Google is being ordered by the European Union (EU) to open up Android to rival AI assistants and share its search data, under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The Ruling
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AI Assistants on Android: Google must allow users to choose a preferred non-Google AI assistant, enabling voice activation, and enable those assistants to function within apps. This is comparable to how their own Gemini AI assistant works. Google has until July 2027 to comply.
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Search Data Sharing: Google must share anonymized search data with rival search engines and AI chatbots, aiming to "rebalance the playing field". This sharing begins in January 2027. Robust anonymization measures are in place, including suppression of records containing rare or sensitive information, bundling users into groups of at least 1,000, and independent audits of recipient companies.
Google’s Response
Google disagrees with the ruling, stating that it "risks undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans" by exposing private searches to unfamiliar companies without user consent or knowledge. They argue these changes would weaken privacy, endanger business secrets, and pose risks to national security.
Context
This order is part of a wider EU push against Big Tech under the DMA. Prior actions include telling Meta to remove addictive features from Instagram and pressuring Google to open its Play store to rivals. Regulators are also scrutinizing Android’s choice screens. Non-compliance for Google could result in fines up to 10% of global annual turnover. The DMA has faced opposition from the Trump administration, which argues it unfairly targets US firms.