Today the European Commission (EC) announced two legally binding Digital Markets Act (DMA) decisions, forcing Google to open up Android and Search to competitors.
First, Google will have to give third-party AI assistants on Android access to key system features that are currently only available to Google’s own Gemini. Thus, when someone sets a third-party AI chatbot as his default assistant, he will be able to set a similar feature. Currently 60% of EU users who own an Android device find third-party AI assistants less attractive than Gemini, particularly because they can’t access the same functions.
Thus, third-party alternatives should be able to access the same core capabilities as Gemini, while maintaining privacy and security protections. Users should be able to activate a third-party AI assistant with their voice, similar to using the “Hey Google” command, and assistants should be able to do things like book a taxi, suggest relevant answers in chat apps, or tell you about a recently visited place. To enable this, they must have access to your location history, your messages, and permission to interact with other apps on your phone. All these changes are to be implemented in July 2027.
The EC has also ordered Google to share anonymized search data with eligible third-party search engines, including AI chatbots with search functionality. Its goal is to let third-party services improve their search products and thus be able to better compete with Google. The data Google shares should be exactly the same as the data it collects to optimize its search services.
Anonymization of data uses a multi-layered methodology developed in collaboration with “internal and external privacy experts”. Google may assess whether “sharing such data with a specific third party poses a serious cybersecurity and data protection risk” before sharing any data. The Election Commission’s decision also outlines “a reasonable formula” to calculate the value of shared data and a transparent process for access to the data. Google will have to implement the data sharing mandate from January 2027.