Google must open Android and search data to EU rivals

Alphabet’s Google will be required to give OpenAI, other AI competitors and online search rivals broader access to its services under EU rules aimed at limiting the power of Big Tech. The European Commission detailed the requirements after opening specification proceedings to help Google comply with the Digital Markets Act.

Google must open up 11 features on Android so rival AI assistants can use key functionalities and compete more directly with Gemini. The changes would allow users to activate another AI assistant through voice commands, similar to the “hey Google” command, for tasks such as booking a taxi or searching for information about places. Users are expected to benefit from the Android changes from July 2027.

The EU also directed Google to share data used to optimise its own search services with OpenAI and other AI chatbots that include search functions, subject to anonymisation. That measure will be implemented from January next year and includes a formula for pricing the shared data. Google may first assess whether rivals pose cybersecurity and data protection risks, while the Commission said access will be limited to companies meeting privacy and security criteria.

Google lawyer Kent Walker criticised the decisions, saying they risk undermining privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said the measures are intended to encourage alternatives to Google Search and Gemini and give EU users more choice.