EU Forces Google to Open Android and Search to Rival AI Assistants and Engines
The European Union orders Google to give rival search engines and AI assistants greater access to key parts of Android and Google Search under the bloc's Digital Markets Act. The two decisions target Google's dominance over two of the tech industry's most critical platforms and require the company to offer competitors the same level of access to systems and data that it enjoys itself.
The rulings carry significant implications for Google's future, potentially weakening its grip on mobile and search ecosystems while shaping the trajectory of its AI tool Gemini. Regulators developed the requirements through extensive technical proceedings rather than simply issuing financial penalties, meaning Google must fundamentally change how it operates in Europe to comply with the rules.
Google faces firm deadlines to implement the changes. The company has until January 2027 to begin sharing search data with rivals and until July 2027 to complete the required modifications to Android. If Google fails to meet these obligations, the European Commission retains the power to impose substantial fines for noncompliance.