The European Commission has issued binding orders requiring Google to open the Android operating system to rival AI assistants and share search data with competitors, marking one of the most significant interventions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Under the ruling, Google must give third-party AI assistants like Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT the same system-level access on Android that Gemini currently enjoys. This includes access to the camera, microphone, on-screen content, wake-word functionality with the display off, and the ability to drive other apps through simulated taps and typing. Google has until Android 18’s release to implement the changes, with a hard deadline of August 1, 2027.
Separately, the Commission ordered Google to share its search data with rival search engines, addressing the advantage Google gains from its massive data collection. Google warned the changes could endanger user privacy and security, saying the rulings risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans.
The orders come as the EU continues its aggressive enforcement of the DMA against Big Tech. The Commission is also reportedly preparing a massive fine against Google for separate DMA violations related to its Play Store practices. As reported by Ars Technica and The Verge, the rulings could fundamentally reshape the mobile ecosystem in Europe.
