EU Orders Google to Open Search and Android to AI Rivals Under Digital Markets Act

Brussels | EcoPulse24

The European Commission has ordered Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, to open key parts of its search and Android ecosystems to competing search engines and artificial intelligence providers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking one of the most significant regulatory interventions in the global AI and search industry.

Announced in Brussels on Thursday, the legally binding measures follow six months of specification proceedings launched by the Commission to determine how Google must comply with the DMA's competition requirements.

The decisions are intended to increase consumer choice while reducing Google's dominance in search and artificial intelligence services across the European Union.

Google Must Share Search Data With AI Competitors

Under the first decision, Google will be required to provide competing search engines and AI-powered search assistants with access to certain search data used to improve Google's own search services.

The requirements extend to AI platforms that integrate search functionality, including services such as OpenAI's ChatGPT Search, provided they satisfy the Commission's eligibility conditions.

According to the Commission:

• Shared datasets must be anonymized.

• A defined pricing methodology will determine access costs.

• Google may first assess whether an applicant presents cybersecurity or data protection risks before granting access.

• The measures must be fully implemented by January 2027.

The Commission argues that broader access to search-related data will help competitors improve search quality while preserving user privacy.

Android Must Open Core AI Features

The second decision requires Google to open 11 Android system features to competing artificial intelligence providers.

Once implemented, Android users in the European Union could choose alternative AI assistants - including services such as ChatGPT or Claude - to perform voice commands and other system-level functions traditionally handled by Google Assistant or Gemini.

The interoperability requirements will apply only to providers meeting European security and privacy standards.

Google has until July 2027 to comply with these Android obligations.

Google Warns of Privacy and Security Risks

Google criticized the Commission's decisions.

Kent Walker, Google's President of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, said the measures risk undermining privacy and security protections relied upon by millions of European users.

He said Google had repeatedly proposed solutions that would both protect users and satisfy the objectives of the Digital Markets Act, arguing that the Commission's decisions disregard substantial evidence regarding potential harm to users.

European Commission Seeks Greater Competition

European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty Henna Virkkunen said the measures are intended to encourage the emergence of viable alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services, including Gemini.

She said European consumers should benefit from greater competition, wider choice, and increased innovation across digital platforms.

Decision Comes Amid Broader Political Tensions

The ruling also arrives against the backdrop of growing political tensions between the European Union and the United States over digital regulation.

The Digital Markets Act has faced repeated criticism from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which argues that Brussels disproportionately targets large American technology companies through its regulatory framework.

The Commission has rejected those claims, maintaining that the DMA applies equally to all designated gatekeeper platforms operating within the European Union.

EcoPulse24 Analysis

The Commission's decisions represent one of the clearest regulatory attempts yet to reshape competition in the artificial intelligence era. Until now, regulators primarily focused on search engines and app stores. The latest measures expand that approach to include AI assistants, search-powered chatbots, and operating system integration, recognizing that competition in AI increasingly depends on access to both data and platform infrastructure.

The search data requirements could significantly reduce one of Google's strongest competitive advantages. Search quality improves through continuous user interaction and data feedback, assets that have historically been difficult for rivals to replicate. By requiring controlled access to anonymized search data, European regulators aim to lower barriers for emerging AI-powered search providers without compromising privacy protections.

The Android interoperability requirements may prove even more consequential over the long term. If users can replace Google's default AI assistant with alternatives such as ChatGPT or Claude at the operating-system level, AI competition could shift from standalone applications to deeply integrated digital ecosystems, changing how consumers interact with smartphones and connected devices.

From a broader macro perspective, the ruling illustrates how regulation is becoming a defining force in the global AI race. Rather than focusing solely on technological innovation, governments are increasingly shaping market structure through competition policy, interoperability mandates, and data access rules. The outcome could influence not only Google's future business model but also the competitive landscape for artificial intelligence platforms worldwide.