Google told to open Android AI access in EU

Google faces a European Union directive requiring it to open parts of Android to AI rivals and share search data with competing online search providers. Under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, Google must allow users to activate their preferred AI assistant through voice commands by July next year.

The European Commission also said that by January 2027 third-party search engines should receive the same access to search data that Google Search can currently collect at scale, particularly from AI chat bots. The move is not a formal finding of non-compliance, but it increases pressure on Google to adjust its services to meet the EU’s competition rules for large technology platforms.

EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said the decision is intended to support smaller competitors and preserve user choice while protecting privacy. Google pushed back, with Global Affairs President Kent Walker saying the rulings risk weakening privacy and security protections for millions of Europeans and discount evidence of user harm. The company separately faces potential fines running into multiple millions under the DMA over claims involving search services and Play Store rules.