The European Union has issued legally binding instructions requiring Google to give rival AI assistants deeper access to Android devices under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decision is aimed at increasing competition by allowing competing AI services to use important Android features that are currently more accessible to Google’s own Gemini assistant. Officials say the move will give users more choice while creating a fairer digital market.
Under the new rules, third-party AI assistants will eventually be able to access key Android capabilities such as the microphone, camera, screen content, and system-level features with user permission. They will also be able to respond to voice commands, interact with apps, and perform tasks in a way that is similar to Google’s Gemini assistant. The goal is to ensure that competing AI services can offer users the same level of functionality available to Google’s own products.
The European Commission said Google’s current restrictions make it difficult for rival AI assistants to compete on Android. By requiring interoperability, the Commission wants developers to build AI assistants that can work seamlessly across Android devices without facing technical disadvantages. Officials believe this will encourage innovation and create a healthier competitive environment for both developers and consumers.
The Commission has also instructed Google to share certain anonymized Google Search data with eligible search engines and AI companies. According to regulators, access to search data will help competitors improve their own search services and AI models, reducing Google’s long-standing advantage in the search market. Privacy safeguards will remain in place before any data is shared.
Google has strongly opposed the decision, arguing that opening Android’s core features to third-party AI assistants could introduce security, privacy, and cybersecurity risks. The company also warned that sharing search-related information could expose sensitive business data and potentially affect user safety. Despite these concerns, EU regulators believe the rules include sufficient safeguards to protect users while promoting fair competition.
The measures will not take effect immediately. Google must begin sharing eligible Google Search data by January 2027, while the Android interoperability requirements are expected to be implemented by July 2027. This phased rollout is intended to give Google enough time to make technical changes while allowing regulators to monitor compliance.
These binding measures are part of the EU’s wider enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, which targets large technology companies designated as digital “gatekeepers.” The law is designed to prevent dominant platforms from using their market position to limit competition and to ensure that smaller companies have a fair opportunity to compete in digital markets. Companies that fail to comply with the DMA can face significant financial penalties.
Overall, the EU’s decision marks one of the biggest regulatory changes for Android and AI assistants in recent years. If implemented successfully, users in Europe could eventually choose AI assistants other than Gemini with similar access to Android features, while competing search engines and AI companies gain access to important search data. The move is expected to reshape competition in the AI ecosystem while balancing innovation, user choice, and privacy protections.
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