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

The European Union has issued landmark rulings under its Digital Markets Act (DMA), compelling Google to share search data with rival services and open its Android operating system to competing artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. The measures, finalized this week, mark a significant escalation in Brussels’ efforts to rein in Big Tech and reshape the digital landscape. Google, however, has strongly opposed the requirements, warning they risk undermining user privacy, security, and innovation.

The EU’s decisions target two core aspects of Google’s business: its dominance in search and its control over Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system. Under the new rules, Google must begin sharing anonymized search data with competing search engines and AI chatbots by January 2027. This includes providing rivals like OpenAI and Microsoft with access to metrics that currently give Google an unparalleled advantage in refining its algorithms. Additionally, the company must allow third-party AI assistants—such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude—to access the same level of system integration as its own Gemini AI on Android devices, with changes to be implemented by July 2027.

The European Commission framed the rulings as a necessary step to “rebalance the playing field” and foster competition. Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s tech chief, stated that the measures aim to enable “emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google’s AI services,” ensuring users have greater choice. The Commission emphasized that Android’s openness would be preserved, with users able to activate their preferred AI assistants via voice commands, similar to the “Hey Google” feature. It also cited safeguards, including anonymization protocols and restrictions on data access to vetted firms, to protect privacy and security.

Google, however, has dismissed the rulings as overly broad and dangerous. Kent Walker, the company’s president of global affairs, argued that the requirements “risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans.” He warned that sharing search data with unfamiliar companies could expose private queries to inadequate anonymization and lack of user consent. Google also criticized the Android mandates, claiming that third-party AI assistants already have access to Android’s capabilities, and that granting them deeper integration would bypass existing safeguards. The company has long maintained that its AI systems are vetted by device manufacturers, and that the EU’s rules could weaken device security.

The EU’s actions are part of a broader regulatory campaign against tech giants, following similar measures against Apple, Meta, and others. Under the DMA, which took effect in 2024, gatekeepers like Google are required to allow rivals access to their ecosystems. The Commission has previously fined Google billions for antitrust violations, and the new rulings could lead to further penalties if compliance is not met. The EU has the authority to impose fines of up to 10% of a company’s global revenue for DMA breaches, though the current measures are not tied to a formal investigation.

Google’s pushback reflects broader tensions between the EU and U.S. Tech firms. The Trump administration has long criticized the DMA as biased against American companies, and the U.S. Has seen its own legal battles over data sharing. In 2024, a U.S. Court ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over search, ordering the company to share data with rivals. Google has since appealed the decision, arguing that such mandates stifle innovation. The regulatory divide highlights the growing friction between transatlantic approaches to tech governance.

The outcome of these rulings will have far-reaching implications for the AI and search markets. By mandating access to Google’s data and Android features, the EU seeks to accelerate innovation and reduce reliance on a single dominant player. Yet, the debate over how to balance competition, privacy, and security remains unresolved. As Google prepares to implement the changes, the clash between regulatory ambitions and corporate resistance underscores the evolving dynamics of global tech governance.