EU Orders Google to Open Android and Share Search Data with AI Rivals Under New Antitrust Rules

Google ordered to open Android and Search to rivals in Europe

Google must give rival AI assistants and search engines greater access to key parts of Android and Google Search after the European Union ordered the company to comply with the bloc's digital antitrust rules. The two decisions, handed down Thursday, could weaken Google's control over two of the tech industry's most important platforms and have far-reaching consequences for the company, shape the future of its AI tool Gemini, and open up new opportunities for rivals to gain ground. The rulings stem from technical regulatory proceedings under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires dominant platforms -- designated "gatekeepers" -- to give competitors comparable access to systems and data as they themselves enjoy. Unlike a financial penalty, the procedures require Google to change how it operates in order to bring its services in line with the DMA and are developed through extensive engagement between the company and regulators. The two proceedings focus on separate but thematically similar parts of Google's business: How rival AI assistants can operate on Android, and how competing search engines and other AI chatbots can access data generated by Google Search. The Android decision sets out how Google must give rival AI assistants the same kind of system features and data access as it gives Gemini. In practical terms, it requires greater interoperability, allowing users -- rather than Google -- to decide whether competing tools can access their data and device hardware. That could include the ability to interact with apps, respond to voice commands like "Hey Google," and make fuller use of the phone's hardware. That means Android users could eventually choose ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or other assistants as deeply integrated system assistants instead of Gemini, with comparable access to device capabilities. The second proceeding focuses on Google Search and the data it generates, setting out how competing search engines and AI services can gain access to information historically kept by Google. Notably, the EU said this includes AI chatbots, which effectively function as search engines in some cases. The data-sharing measure broadly echoes remedies ordered in the US search antitrust case, where Google was instructed to share valuable search information with rivals that could help boost their ability to compete. Google has pushed back against both of these measures, arguing the requirements pose an unacceptable risk to user privacy and security, as well as compromise its products. The EU said there will be limits on how search data can be used and that Google will be able to vet which services get deeper access to Android to ensure safety and security aren't compromised. "With today's measures, we want to support innovation and diversity in the European Union, enabling fair competition in the markets of AI assistant for Android devices and search engines," said European Commission executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy Henna Virkkunen. "Thanks to these measures we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services. All developers, large and small, are welcome to explore these new opportunities, which will certainly benefit users too."

Google required to open up to AI, search engine rivals under EU-mandated changes

BRUSSELS, July 16 (Reuters) - Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google will have to help OpenAI and other AI rivals as well as online search engine competitors access its services to comply with EU rules curbing the power of Big Tech, EU regulators said as they set out the details of the requirements. The move by the European Commission, which acts as the EU competition enforcer, came six months after the regulator opened so-called specification proceedings to assist the world's most popular internet search engine to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Google reiterated its criticism of the EU-mandated changes. "Today's decisions risk undermining vital privacy and ⁠security guardrails for millions of Europeans," Google's lawyer Kent Walker said in an email. "We have repeatedly offered solutions to safeguard users while satisfying the DMA's goals, but these rulings discount extensive evidence of user harm," he said. The Commission said Google will open up 11 features on its Android operating system to AI rivals to access key functionalities and better compete with Google's Gemini AI service. This would mean that users can activate a rival AI assistant via voice commands, similar to the 'hey Google' command, to book a taxi or search for information on places. Users will ⁠benefit from the changes from July 2027 in the next iteration of Android. The Commission said the measures contain robust safeguards to protect users' privacy and device security, and that Google will only offer the 11 features to rivals who fulfil security and privacy criteria. The EU decision also requires Google to share the ⁠data that it collects to optimise its own search services with OpenAI and other AI chatbots with search functionalities, subject to anonymisation. Google can first assess whether rivals pose cybersecurity and data protection risks before it ⁠opens up to them. The EU measure, which will be implemented from January next year, includes a formula to calculate the price of the shared data. "Thanks to these measures we ⁠hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement. Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab * Suggested Topics: * Artificial Intelligence * Data Privacy * Regulatory Oversight * Antitrust Foo Yun Chee Thomson Reuters An agenda-setting and market-moving journalist, Foo Yun Chee is a 21-year veteran at Reuters. Her stories on high profile mergers have pushed up the European telecoms index, lifted companies' shares and helped investors decide on their next move. Her knowledge and experience of European antitrust laws and developments helped her break stories on Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta and Apple, numerous market-moving mergers and antitrust investigations. She has previously reported on Greek politics and companies, when Greece's entry into the eurozone meant it punched above its weight on the international stage, as well as on Dutch corporate giants and the quirks of Dutch society and culture that never fail to charm readers.

EU forces Google to share search data and open Android to rival AI companies

BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union issued two new rules for Google on Thursday to force it to share search data and open up its Android operating system to rival AI companies. In the latest attempt to rein in tech behemoths' deep control of the digital economy, the EU said it will support innovation and diversity in the field by enabling fair access to AI features on Android devices and search engines. "Thanks to these measures, we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the European Commission overseeing tech, said. The measure is the latest advancement of Brussels' growing rules and regulations that have given the 27-nation bloc a global leadership position in checking the power of tech juggernauts or "gatekeepers" like TikTok, which are largely based in China and the U.S. Recently, Brussels has pushed through efforts to ensure Google gives access to Gemini AI services to rival AI companies and search engines; forced Apple to add interoperability features to its devices to connect to non-Apple products; and demanded Meta dismantle " key addictive features " like infinite scrolling. Kent Walker, president of global affairs for both Google and its parent company Alphabet, said the new rules could backfire by removing safeguards that the company had built to protect user privacy like the vetting of third-party AI assistants. "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymization of the data and without user knowledge or consent. This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security," he said in a statement. U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at EU tech regulation in the past. In issuing the two new rules, the commission said it found that AI agents not made by Google were unable to function on Android phones at the same level as Google's Gemini. Google must now allow voice-activation of these alternative AI agents and enable them to run background tasks like booking restaurants via third-party apps. By January 2027, Google must also begin sharing anonymized search data with some rivals. The commission said the move is meant to level the playing field since Google controls a vast trove of user data that no competitor can match.

EU demands Google give AI rivals more access to Android - Engadget

EU demands Google give AI rivals more access to Android It will also have to share search data with rivals. The European Union has today ordered Google to open up more parts of Android to rival AI apps. It's a move prompted by concerns Google could use its dominant mobile OS to box out its competitors. For instance, the EU says rival AI assistants have only limited access to "key functionalities" within Android compared to Gemini. Consequently, "third-party AI assistants are therefore limited in how they can offer their innovative services." When the requisite changes are made, it's likely Android users will get a similar choice as when choosing a browser in the bloc. Once selected, they'll be able to wake it with voice commands, engaging their assistant of choice in various agentic actions. But that's not all, and the EU has additionally insisted Google share data with third party search engines. This includes enabling AI chatbots are "eligible to receive shared data" and that Google should "share the same data it collects to optimize its own search." The rules insist this data is anonymized, the methods of which will be evaluated by an independent third party. These decisions are legally binding, and Google has to begin data sharing with rivals by January 2027. The company has until July 2027 to do the same with Android, opening up various software features to the aforementioned rival AI apps. Kent Walker, Google's President of Global Affairs, has penned a response saying that the decisions "risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." Walker adds the EU has turned a blind eye to its evidence of user harm, and the demands to open up Android further will weaken device security. In a rare moment of collaboration, even Apple moved to Google's defense, saying earlier this year that such a move would cause a privacy nightmare. In addition, he said the decision to force Google to share search data will "endanger national security." It's not clear if Google is going to challenge the decisions, although we suspect it will, given the stern warnings made here.

Google required to open up to AI, search engine rivals under EU-mandated changes

Alphabet's Google will have to help OpenAI and other AI rivals, as well as online search engine competitors, access its services ⁠to comply with EU rules curbing the power of Big Tech, EU regulators said as they set out the details of the requirements. The move by the European Commission, which acts as the EU competition enforcer, came six months after the regulator opened so-called specification proceedings to assist the world's most popular internet search ⁠engine to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Google reiterated ⁠its criticism of the EU-mandated changes. "Today's decisions risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans," Google's lawyer Kent Walker said in an email. "We have repeatedly offered solutions to safeguard users while satisfying the DMA's goals, but these rulings discount extensive evidence of user harm," he said. The Commission said Google will open up 11 features on its Android operating system to AI rivals to access key functionalities and better compete with Google's Gemini AI service. This would mean that users can activate a rival AI assistant via voice commands, similar ⁠to the 'hey Google' command, to book a taxi or search for information on places. Users will benefit from the changes from July 2027 in the next iteration of Android. The Commission said the measures contain robust safeguards to protect users' privacy and device security, and that Google will only offer the 11 features to rivals ⁠who fulfil security and privacy criteria. The EU decision also requires Google to ⁠share the data that it collects to optimise its own search ⁠services with OpenAI and other AI chatbots with search functionalities, subject to anonymisation. Google can first assess whether rivals pose cybersecurity and data protection risks before it opens up to them. The EU measure, which will be implemented from January next year, includes a formula to calculate the price of the shared data. "Thanks to these measures we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement.

Google Ordered to Give A.I. Rivals More Access on Android Smartphones

The decision by European Union regulators is a response to fears that Google will use its vast Android user base to gain an edge in A.I. Google was ordered by European Union regulators on Thursday to lift restrictions that limit how rival A.I. companies can reach users of Android smartphones, a sign of increased government scrutiny of the booming business of artificial intelligence. The decision is a response to fears that Google will leverage the massive user base of Android, which powers about 60 percent of all smartphones in the European Union, to gain an edge in the growing A.I. market and undercut competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic. As the daily use of artificial intelligence grows across society, an emerging commercial battleground is how to access users through their smartphones. A.I. companies believe that the more deeply an A.I. service is integrated into a person's hand-held device -- including email, photos and other apps -- the more a chatbot can serve as a personal assistant. Think of asking a chatbot to order a car service, suggest a response to a text message or provide information about a recently visited location. Google and Apple are seen as having a major advantage because the companies make the world's most used smartphone software, allowing them to set the rules for app developers trying to reach mobile users. On Thursday, E.U. regulators said the company would be required to give rival A.I. services "equal footing," including through voice commands and the ability to delegate actions in apps. The decision is binding and Google is required to implement the changes by July 2027. Google was also ordered to begin sharing anonymized search engine data with rivals, including makers of A.I. chatbots, by January 2027, in an attempt to create more competition. Google did not say if it planned to challenge the decisions in court. The company said European regulators risk creating new security and privacy vulnerabilities because outside developers will get access to sensitive information kept on a person's smartphone or search history. "Today's decisions risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans," Kent Walker, Google's general counsel, said in a statement. The European Union has long been the world's most aggressive regulator of tech industry business practices and is now expanding its scrutiny into artificial intelligence. Authorities view the technology as the new entry point for people to access digital services and the online world. An E.U. competition law, the Digital Markets Act, requires large tech companies like Google and Apple to make their products interoperable. That means outside developers should be allowed to offer competing A.I. digital assistants instead of Google's Gemini and Apple's Siri. The competition law is creating friction. In June, Apple said it would withhold the release of new A.I. features for Siri in the European Union because it could not reach an agreement with regulators. At the same time, A.I. companies are taking steps to develop their own devices to loosen Apple and Google's grip. Last year, OpenAI hired Apple's former top designer, Jony Ive, to lead its efforts to develop new A.I.-centric hardware products. Last week, Apple sued OpenAI, accusing it of stealing company secrets. OpenAI denied the accusations.

Rival AI assistants could soon gain full access to Android features

Google has fiercely opposed the decision, warning that granting deep, system-level permissions to external apps bypasses hardware safety guardrails and risks a security catastrophe. The ongoing control war between Big Tech and European regulators has reached a boiling point. In a move that could reshape how we use our phones, the European Commission has issued strict new guidance to Google under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), demanding that the company open up Android to third-party AI assistants and share data from its crown jewel, Google Search. The decision is framed as a push for fair competition, but Google has immediately fired back (again), warning that forcing its hand could lead to a privacy and security catastrophe for millions of European users. According to the European Commission's official press release, the new mandates are designed to foster innovation and break Google's monopoly over mobile AI and search. By forcing Google to ensure full AI interoperability on Android and share anonymized search click and query data with rivals, the EU hopes to give alternative services (and competing AI models) a fighting chance. The European Commission notes that, currently, competing AI assistants on Android phones have limited access to key functionalities. Without this access, alternative AI assistants cannot compete on equal terms with Google's own AI services, which have full access. Third-party AI assistants are therefore limited in what they can offer Android users, making them less attractive to the 60% of EU users who use Android devices. Specifically for Android, today's decision by the European Commission will ensure that users can activate their preferred AI assistant via voice commands, similar to the "Hey Google" wake word trigger. Users will also be able to use third-party AI assistants to perform actions in apps on their behalf. The Commission also notes that the measures incorporate "robust safeguards to ensure that the privacy of users, device integrity, and security are protected." However, Google argues through its blog post that these requirements completely discount the realities of user safety. The company claims to have "repeatedly" offered solutions to safeguard users while satisfying the DMA's goals, but the Commission's rulings discount extensive evidence of user harm. The tech giant warns that granting external apps deep, unrestricted access to Android's system-level permissions bypasses critical hardware-level security guardrails that device manufacturers usually vet. Furthermore, Google claims that sharing search data with unfamiliar companies puts user privacy, trade secrets, and even national security at risk. As the regulatory chess match continues to play out, European Android users may soon find themselves caught in the middle of a fractured ecosystem, forced to choose between the EU's vision of an open market and Google's established security wall.

Europe tells Google it must open Android phones to rivals' AI bots

Officials said the decision was aimed at promoting competition. Europe ordered Google on Thursday to make it easier for users of its Android phones to summon help from artificial intelligence assistants made by the company's competitors. Officials said in a statement that the move was designed to help other companies compete with Google, which has a commanding position in the European smartphone market. "Our decision will help smaller competitors, search engines, or AI assistants, to compete and provide that choice, while protecting the user's privacy," said Teresa Ribera, the European Commission's executive vice president for a clean, just and competitive transition. Google said external AI assistants can already access functions on Android phones, with vetting by manufacturers. "This Android ruling threatens device security by granting external apps sensitive and powerful device permissions without these safeguards," said Kent Walker, Google's president of global affairs. The search and advertising giant makes Gemini, one of the leading AI models. The company has lagged rivals OpenAI and Anthropic in recent months. But it has the ability to integrate its AI into its existing apps, such as Gmail and maps, potentially giving it a significant advantage with consumers.

EU demands opening Android access and Search data to rivals, Google warns of privacy risks

The EU has ordered Google to crack open Android and Search to its rivals including other AI assistants, but Google warns that it's a privacy risk. As noted by The Verge, the EU has handed down two decisions today that affect how other brands - particularly those competing with Google - can access Android and use data from Google Search. Google has until January 2027 to start sharing Search data. Google, as a "gatekeeper," would be required to share Seatch data with not only other search companies/services, but also AI chatbots, the EU has now added. This would include the likes of OpenAI and Microsoft, among others. The other part of this is Android, where the EU is demanding that Google open up the same level of access to other AI assistants - ChatGPT, Claude, etc - as Gemini currently gets. As a pre-installed system app, Gemini has far more access to Android than third-party offerings, including the ability to interact with other apps, control hardware on the phone, and run its "Hey Google" background listening all of the time. There are many ways for third-party apps to implement features on this level, but it doesn't work quite as well as it does for something with the same level of access as Gemini. Google disagrees with the EU's decisions. Specifically, the company argues that the decisions "risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." Google, in a public response on The Keyword, explains: The reality is that AI assistants already safely access Android's capabilities, with phone makers playing a key role in vetting them. This Android ruling threatens device security by granting external apps sensitive and powerful device permissions without these safeguards. This is occurring as the EU's own cybersecurity agency warns that "security fundamentals matter more than ever in the age of AI". Of particular concern, Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymisation of the data and without user knowledge or consent. This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security. As it stands, Google has until January 2027 to make needed changes to Search and data sharing, while changes in Android have until July 2027.

EU orders Google to share search data with rivals by 2027; search giant complains about 'unfamiliar companies' in your grill | Fortune

The European Union issued two new rules for Google on Thursday to force it to share search data and open up its Android operating system to rival AI companies. In the latest attempt to rein in tech behemoths' deep control of the digital economy, the EU said it will support innovation and diversity in the field by enabling fair access to AI features on Android devices and search engines. "Thanks to these measures, we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the European Commission overseeing tech, said. The measure is the latest advancement of Brussels' growing rules and regulations that have given the 27-nation bloc a global leadership position in checking the power of tech juggernauts or "gatekeepers" like TikTok, which are largely based in China and the U.S. Recently, Brussels has pushed through efforts to ensure Google gives access to Gemini AI services to rival AI companies and search engines; forced Apple to add interoperability features to its devices to connect to non-Apple products; and demanded Meta dismantle " key addictive features " like infinite scrolling. Kent Walker, president of global affairs for both Google and its parent company Alphabet, said the new rules could backfire by removing safeguards that the company had built to protect user privacy like the vetting of third-party AI assistants. "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymization of the data and without user knowledge or consent. This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security," he said in a statement. U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at EU tech regulation in the past. In issuing the two new rules, the commission said it found that AI agents not made by Google were unable to function on Android phones at the same level as Google's Gemini. Google must now allow voice-activation of these alternative AI agents and enable them to run background tasks like booking restaurants via third-party apps. By January 2027, Google must also begin sharing anonymized search data with some rivals. The commission said the move is meant to level the playing field since Google controls a vast trove of user data that no competitor can match.

EU tells Google to share search data, open Android to AI rivals

Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) - The European Union demanded Thursday that Google share data with other search engines and open up its Android system to rival AI services, but the US giant said the measures would put privacy at risk. The move is the latest by Brussels against the behemoth as it seeks to flex its muscles over Big Tech. The order was made under the EU's flagship Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forces the world's biggest tech firms to open to competition in a bid to give users more choice. The DMA is the bete noire of US President Donald Trump's administration, which accuses Brussels of unfairly targeting American companies. Brussels said Google must start sharing search data from January 2027 and users would start benefitting from the changes to Android from July 2027. "Thanks to these measures we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said. For example, the EU said Android phone users should be able to use their preferred AI chatbot via voice commands, similar to the "Hey Google" command. Privacy question The EU said sharing search data would "rebalance the playing field" but Google pushed back, saying the measures "introduce unprecedented risks to user privacy, device security, and national security". But Google's head of global affairs Kent Walker said the EU moves risked "undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans". He said AI assistants already could access Android and by sharing search data, "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymisation of the data and without user knowledge or consent". A senior European official insisted the EU "took integrity, security and privacy into utmost account", and Brussels said the decision would ensure anonymisation of search data. The demand is legally binding as part of a procedure launched in January, but it is not a formal probe that could lead to fines. The scrutiny of Google does not end there, however. The EU could hit Google with a fine next week in a separate investigation under the DMA law, sources close to the matter told AFP, confirming a report in the Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday. The EU has the right to slap fines of up to 10 percent of a company's total global turnover for violating the DMA. Fines are nothing new for Google. The EU hit the company with fines worth a total of 8.2 billion euros between 2017 and 2019 under different competition rules. And in September last year, Brussels imposed a 2.95 billion euro fine in a separate antitrust case.

EU orders Google to open Android to rival AI services

Brussels said Google must start sharing search data from January 2027 and users would start benefitting from the changes to Android from July 2027. The European Union on Thursday ordered Google to share data with rival search engines and open up its Android operating system to competing AI services. "Thanks to these measures we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said. However, the US tech giant warned that the measures would put users' privacy at risk. The order was issued under the EU's flagship Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires the world's biggest tech companies to open up to competition in a bid to give users more choice. For example, the EU said Android users should be able to choose their preferred AI chatbot for voice commands, similar to the "Hey Google" feature. The DMA has been strongly criticised by US President Donald Trump's administration, which accuses Brussels of unfairly targeting American companies. Privacy concerns The EU said requiring Google to share search data would help "rebalance the playing field", but the company argued the measures would "introduce unprecedented risks to user privacy, device security, and national security." Google's head of global affairs, Kent Walker, said the EU moves risked "undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." Walker argued that AI assistants already could access Android and by sharing search data, "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymisation of the data and without user knowledge or consent". A senior European official insisted the EU "took integrity, security and privacy into utmost account", and Brussels said the decision would ensure anonymisation of search data. The measures are legally binding under a procedure launched in January, although they are not part of a formal investigation that could lead to fines. Google could nevertheless face further action. The EU could hit Google with a fine next week in a separate investigation under the DMA law, sources close to the matter told AFP, confirming a report in the Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday. The EU has the right to slap fines of up to 10 percent of a company's total global turnover for violating the DMA. Brussels hit the company with fines worth a total of 8.2 billion euros between 2017 and 2019 under different competition rules. In September last year, the EU imposed a €2.95 billion fine in a separate antitrust case.

EU forces Google to share search data and open Android to rival AI companies

BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union issued two new rules for Google on Thursday to force it to share search data and open up its Android operating system to rival AI companies. In the latest attempt to rein in tech behemoths' deep control of the digital economy, the EU said it will support innovation and diversity in the field by enabling fair access to AI features on Android devices and search engines. "Thanks to these measures, we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the European Commission overseeing tech, said. The measure is the latest advancement of Brussels' growing rules and regulations that have given the 27-nation bloc a global leadership position in checking the power of tech juggernauts or "gatekeepers" like TikTok, which are largely based in China and the U.S. Recently, Brussels has pushed through efforts to ensure Google gives access to Gemini AI services to rival AI companies and search engines; forced Apple to add interoperability features to its devices to connect to non-Apple products; and demanded Meta dismantle " key addictive features " like infinite scrolling. Kent Walker, president of global affairs for both Google and its parent company Alphabet, said the new rules could backfire by removing safeguards that the company had built to protect user privacy like the vetting of third-party AI assistants. "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymization of the data and without user knowledge or consent. This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security," he said in a statement. U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at EU tech regulation in the past. In issuing the two new rules, the commission said it found that AI agents not made by Google were unable to function on Android phones at the same level as Google's Gemini. Google must now allow voice-activation of these alternative AI agents and enable them to run background tasks like booking restaurants via third-party apps. By January 2027, Google must also begin sharing anonymized search data with some rivals. The commission said the move is meant to level the playing field since Google controls a vast trove of user data that no competitor can match.

EU orders Google to share search data and open Android system to AI rivals

The European Union on Thursday ordered Google to share its search data with rival search engines and open Android to competing AI services under its Digital Markets Act, in its latest move to curb Big Tech's dominance. Google has warned the measures could jeopardise user privacy - and national security - while Brussels said the changes would expand consumer choice. The European Union demanded Thursday that Google share data with other search engines and open up its Android system to rival AI services, but the US giant said the measures would put privacy at risk. The move is the latest by Brussels against the behemoth as it seeks to flex its muscles over Big Tech. The order was made under the EU's flagship Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forces the world's biggest tech firms to open to competition in a bid to give users more choice. The DMA is the bête noire of US President Donald Trump's administration, which accuses Brussels of unfairly targeting American companies. Read moreTrump signs order seeking govt access to new AI releases Brussels said Google must start sharing search data from January 2027 and users would start benefitting from the changes to Android from July 2027. "Thanks to these measures we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said. For example, the EU said Android phone users should be able to use their preferred AI chatbot via voice commands, similar to the "Hey Google" command. Privacy question The EU said sharing search data would "rebalance the playing field" but Google pushed back, saying the measures "introduce unprecedented risks to user privacy, device security, and national security". But Google's head of global affairs Kent Walker said the EU moves risked "undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans". Read moreDigital sovereignty (1/3): Have Trump's threats spurred a European awakening? He said AI assistants already could access Android and by sharing search data, "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymisation of the data and without user knowledge or consent". A senior European official insisted the EU "took integrity, security and privacy into utmost account", and Brussels said the decision would ensure anonymisation of search data. The demand is legally binding as part of a procedure launched in January, but it is not a formal probe that could lead to fines. The scrutiny of Google does not end there, however. The EU could hit Google with a fine next week in a separate investigation under the DMA law, sources close to the matter told AFP, confirming a report in the Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday. The EU has the right to slap fines of up to 10 percent of a company's total global turnover for violating the DMA. Fines are nothing new for Google. The EU hit the company with fines worth a total of 8.2 billion euros between 2017 and 2019 under different competition rules. And in September last year, Brussels imposed a 2.95 billion euro fine in a separate antitrust case.

EU Forces Google to Share Search Data and Open Android to Rival AI Companies

BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union issued two new rules for Google on Thursday to force it to share search data and open up its Android operating system to rival AI companies. In the latest attempt to rein in tech behemoths' deep control of the digital economy, the EU said it will support innovation and diversity in the field by enabling fair access to AI features on Android devices and search engines. "Thanks to these measures, we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the European Commission overseeing tech, said. The measure is the latest advancement of Brussels' growing rules and regulations that have given the 27-nation bloc a global leadership position in checking the power of tech juggernauts or "gatekeepers" like TikTok, which are largely based in China and the U.S. Recently, Brussels has pushed through efforts to ensure Google gives access to Gemini AI services to rival AI companies and search engines; forced Apple to add interoperability features to its devices to connect to non-Apple products; and demanded Meta dismantle " key addictive features " like infinite scrolling. Kent Walker, president of global affairs for both Google and its parent company Alphabet, said the new rules could backfire by removing safeguards that the company had built to protect user privacy like the vetting of third-party AI assistants. "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymization of the data and without user knowledge or consent. This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security," he said in a statement. U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at EU tech regulation in the past. In issuing the two new rules, the commission said it found that AI agents not made by Google were unable to function on Android phones at the same level as Google's Gemini. Google must now allow voice-activation of these alternative AI agents and enable them to run background tasks like booking restaurants via third-party apps. By January 2027, Google must also begin sharing anonymized search data with some rivals. The commission said the move is meant to level the playing field since Google controls a vast trove of user data that no competitor can match.

EU forces Google to share search data, open Android to rival AI companies

In the latest attempt to rein in tech behemoths' deep control of the digital economy, the EU said it will support innovation and diversity in the field by enabling fair access to AI features on Android devices and search engines. The European Union issued two new rules for Google on Thursday to force it to share search data and open up its Android operating system to rival AI companies. In the latest attempt to rein in tech behemoths' deep control of the digital economy, the EU said it will support innovation and diversity in the field by enabling fair access to AI features on Android devices and search engines. "Thanks to these measures, we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the European Commission overseeing tech, said. The measure is the latest advancement of Brussels' growing rules and regulations that have given the 27-nation bloc a global leadership position in checking the power of tech juggernauts or "gatekeepers" like TikTok, which are largely based in China and the US. Recently, Brussels has pushed through efforts to ensure Google gives access to Gemini AI services to rival AI companies and search engines; forced Apple to add interoperability features to its devices to connect to non-Apple products; and demanded Meta dismantle "key addictive features" like infinite scrolling. Kent Walker, president of global affairs for both Google and its parent company Alphabet, said the new rules could backfire by removing safeguards that the company had built to protect user privacy like the vetting of third-party AI assistants. "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymisation of the data and without user knowledge or consent. This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security," he said in a statement. US President Donald Trump has lashed out at EU tech regulation in the past. In issuing the two new rules, the commission said it found that AI agents not made by Google were unable to function on Android phones at the same level as Google's Gemini. Google must now allow voice-activation of these alternative AI agents and enable them to run background tasks like booking restaurants via third-party apps. By January 2027, Google must also begin sharing anonymised search data with some rivals. The commission said the move is meant to level the playing field since Google controls a vast trove of user data that no competitor can match.

EU forces Google to share search data and open Android to rival AI companies

BRUSSELS -- The European Union issued two new rules for Google on Thursday to force it to share search data and open up its Android operating system to rival AI companies. In the latest attempt to rein in tech behemoths' deep control of the digital economy, the EU said it will support innovation and diversity in the field by enabling fair access to AI features on Android devices and search engines. "Thanks to these measures, we hope to see emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, such as Gemini, and that users in the EU can enjoy greater choice of services," Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the European Commission overseeing tech, said. The measure is the latest advancement of Brussels' growing rules and regulations that have given the 27-nation bloc a global leadership position in checking the power of tech juggernauts or "gatekeepers" like TikTok, which are largely based in China and the U.S. Recently, Brussels has pushed through efforts to ensure Google gives access to Gemini AI services to rival AI companies and search engines; forced Apple to add interoperability features to its devices to connect to non-Apple products; and demanded Meta dismantle " key addictive features " like infinite scrolling. Kent Walker, president of global affairs for both Google and its parent company Alphabet, said the new rules could backfire by removing safeguards that the company had built to protect user privacy like the vetting of third-party AI assistants. "Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymization of the data and without user knowledge or consent. This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security," he said in a statement. U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at EU tech regulation in the past. In issuing the two new rules, the commission said it found that AI agents not made by Google were unable to function on Android phones at the same level as Google's Gemini. Google must now allow voice-activation of these alternative AI agents and enable them to run background tasks like booking restaurants via third-party apps. By January 2027, Google must also begin sharing anonymized search data with some rivals. The commission said the move is meant to level the playing field since Google controls a vast trove of user data that no competitor can match.

EU Gives Google Binding Instructions to Open Android to AI Rivals --Update

The European Union gave Alphabet's Google binding instructions to open up its Android operating system and search engine data to services that compete with its own tools. The European Commission said on Thursday that rival AI assistants have restricted access to key features of Google's Android operating system and aren't able to compete equally with the tech group's own services. The EU executive said that users should be able to activate their AI assistant of choice on Android devices via voice command in the same way they can activate Google's assistant, and use them to perform tasks such as booking taxis. It also said the measures it has issued "incorporate robust safeguards to ensure that the privacy of users, device integrity and security are protected." Kent Walker, Google's president of global affairs, said in a statement that the commission's decisions risk undermining privacy and security guardrails for Europeans. Officials also told Google to share some search data with competing search engines, including AI chatbots that have search features. It follows initial findings previously sent to Google earlier this year. Thursday's decision gives the company binding instructions. "Of particular concern, Europeans' private searches would be exposed to unfamiliar companies, without adequate anonymization of the data and without user knowledge or consent," Walker said. "This would weaken citizens' privacy, risk business trade secrets, and endanger national security," he added. The commission said that Google can assess whether sharing some data with a particular company poses cyber security and data protection risks before it is shared, and that officials could amend their decision in future. It comes after the EU executive opened proceedings to tell Google how to bring some of its services in line with the bloc's Digital Markets Act, which gives a handful of the world's largest tech companies a list of do's and don'ts aiming to level the playing field in the digital economy. Companies classed as tech gatekeepers under the law can receive fines of up to 10% of their annual worldwide turnover if the commission decides they are flouting the rules. "Society is going through a profound digital transformation. We need to keep that process fair and ensure that our citizens have choice," Teresa Ribera, the bloc's competition commissioner, said in a statement.

EU Gives Google Binding Instructions to Open Android, Search Engine Data to AI Rivals

The European Union gave Alphabet's Google binding instructions to open up its Android operating system and search engine data to AI services that compete with its own tools such as Gemini. The European Commission said on Thursday that rival AI assistants have restricted access to key features of Google's Android operating system and aren't able to compete equally with the tech group's own services. The EU executive said that users should be able to activate their AI assistant of choice on Android devices via voice command in the same way they can activate Google's assistant, and use them to perform tasks such as booking taxis. It also said the measures it has issued "incorporate robust safeguards to ensure that the privacy of users, device integrity and security are protected." Kent Walker, Google's president of global affairs, said in a statement that the commission's decisions risk undermining privacy and security guardrails for Europeans. Officials also told Google to share some search data with competing search engines, including AI chatbots that have search features. It follows initial findings previously sent to Google earlier this year. Thursday's decision gives the company binding instructions.