EU orders Google to grant rival AI assistants broader Android access

The European Union has mandated that Google grant rival artificial intelligence assistants broader access to Android devices, a move framed as a critical step to ensure fair competition in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The decision, rooted in the Digital Markets Act (DMA), requires Google to allow third-party AI services the same system-level permissions as its own Gemini assistant, including voice command integration, app interaction capabilities, and access to search data. The order, issued by the European Commission, is a notable escalation in the bloc’s regulatory push against tech giants, forcing Google to comply by July 2027 or face potential penalties.

EU Mandate Expands Access to Android’s Core Features

The DMA, which designates Google and Apple as “gatekeepers,” compels the company to grant rival AI assistants access to 11 specific device features, such as screen reading, messaging, and app automation. This includes enabling third-party AI agents to perform tasks like booking rides, replying to texts, or retrieving location-based information. The European Commission emphasized that these changes aim to prevent Google from leveraging Android’s dominance to stifle competition, ensuring users have a “wider and more feature-rich range of options” for AI services.

Google must also begin sharing anonymized search data with competing services by January 2027, a requirement intended to level the playing field for AI chatbots and search engines. The EU argues that this data access will allow rivals to refine their algorithms without compromising individual privacy. However, Google has warned that the mandate risks weakening “vital privacy and security safeguards” for millions of Europeans, citing concerns over sensitive device permissions and potential data misuse.

Google and Apple Clash Over Privacy and Compliance

Google’s response to the order has been cautious, with Kent Walker, the company’s president of global affairs, stating that the rules “risk undermining” user protections. The company has not yet announced whether it will challenge the decision in court but has pledged to “continue advocating for a balanced approach” that prioritizes security. Meanwhile, Apple has taken a more confrontational stance, citing similar privacy concerns to justify withholding its new Siri AI assistant from the EU. In June, the company announced that Siri AI would not launch in the bloc due to the DMA’s interoperability demands, a move it framed as a necessary precaution against “unacceptable privacy and security risks.”

The European Commission rejected Apple’s proposed solutions, including a “Trusted System Agent” model designed to limit third-party access while preserving privacy. The bloc argued that Apple’s approach failed to meet “essential EU privacy and security standards,” leaving the company with no alternative but to delay Siri AI’s rollout. Apple has not provided a timeline for when the feature might become available in the EU, though it has continued engaging with regulators.

Experts Warn of Privacy and Security Risks

Privacy advocates and security experts have raised alarms about the potential consequences of opening Android to external AI services. Calli Schroeder, a senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, cautioned that granting apps deeper access to devices could enable “sneaky siphoning of information” from users’ phones. She emphasized that while technology often requires privacy trade-offs, AI systems pose unique risks due to their reliance on vast data sets, which may include personal information without user consent.

Michael Stokes of Veilant, a security firm, highlighted the dangers of AI agents operating with broad permissions. “If an AI assistant malfunctions, it could exercise delegated authority to do things the user didn’t intend,” he said. Google has countered that device manufacturers like Samsung would bear responsibility for vetting third-party apps, but critics argue that such safeguards may not be sufficient to prevent misuse.

Apple’s Strategic Delay and Google’s Regulatory Gambit

The EU’s enforcement of the DMA has exposed stark differences in how Google and Apple are navigating the regulatory landscape. While Apple chose to delay Siri AI’s EU launch to avoid compliance challenges, Google opted to proceed with Gemini’s integration and later address regulatory demands. This strategy has granted Google a year to adapt Android to the new rules, giving it a head start in strengthening its AI ecosystem before rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic gain comparable access.

The Verge noted that Google’s approach reflects a calculated effort to “play the AI regulations game” more effectively than Apple. By securing a grace period, Google can continue expanding Gemini’s presence while negotiating technical details with regulators. Apple, by contrast, has leveraged its delay as a public relations tactic, framing the EU’s rules as the root cause of its product shortcomings. The companies have also maintained a complex relationship, with Google and Apple collaborating on AI integrations like Gemini’s inclusion in Siri, despite their shared opposition to the DMA’s interoperability mandates.

The outcome of this regulatory battle could reshape the AI market, with the EU’s rules potentially empowering smaller players like OpenAI. However, the long-term impact remains uncertain, as both companies and regulators grapple with the balance between innovation, competition, and user safety.