EU orders Google to share search data and open Android to rival AI

The European Union has issued binding rulings under its Digital Markets Act (DMA), compelling Google to share search data with rivals and open its Android operating system to competing AI services. The measures, finalized after months of deliberation, aim to curb the tech giant’s dominance by fostering competition and expanding user choice, but Google has warned the changes risk undermining privacy, security, and national interests.

The EU’s decision, announced on July 16, 2026, requires Google to begin sharing anonymized search data with competing search engines and AI chatbots by January 2027. This includes platforms like OpenAI and Microsoft, which will gain access to the same metrics Google uses to refine its own search algorithms. The Commission argues the move is necessary to level the playing field, as Google’s control over user data has historically stifled innovation. “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,” said Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s executive vice president for tech sovereignty.

On the Android front, the EU has mandated that Google grant rival AI assistants—such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others—the same system-level access as its own Gemini AI. This includes voice-activated commands, background task execution, and integration with apps like email and photo-sharing tools. Currently, Gemini is preloaded on all Google-certified Android devices and enjoys privileged access to hardware and software features, a situation the Commission claims limits third-party AI developers. “Third-party AI assistants are therefore limited in how they can offer their innovative services, making them less attractive to 60% of EU users who have an Android device,” the Commission stated.

Google has strongly opposed the rulings, with Kent Walker, the company’s president of global affairs, calling them “unwarranted intervention” that threatens user privacy and security. Walker argued that the EU’s demands could expose private searches to unfamiliar companies without adequate anonymization, risking “business trade secrets and national security.” The company also criticized the Commission for ignoring its proposed solutions, which it claimed balanced competition with safeguards. “Today’s decisions risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans,” Walker said.

The EU’s rules are legally binding, with Google required to implement Android changes by July 2027 and begin data sharing by January 2027. The Commission emphasized that safeguards, including anonymization protocols and security vetting for third-party AI, would be enforced. However, Google has until July 2027 to adjust its practices, and the company has not ruled out legal challenges. The DMA also allows the EU to impose fines of up to 10% of a company’s global revenue for noncompliance, though no penalties were immediately announced.

The rulings mark the latest in a series of EU actions targeting Big Tech under the DMA, which designates companies like Google, Apple, and Meta as “gatekeepers” subject to stricter regulations. Earlier this year, the EU forced Apple to allow third-party app stores on iOS and mandated interoperability for messaging services. The Commission has also targeted Meta’s data practices and TikTok’s market dominance, positioning itself as a global leader in tech regulation.

Google’s resistance highlights tensions between regulatory efforts to promote competition and corporate claims of protecting user interests. While the EU frames its actions as necessary for innovation, Google and allies like Apple argue that open access could compromise device security. The dispute underscores broader debates over how to balance market fairness with technological advancement in the AI era.