Today, the European Commission (EC) announced two legally binding decisions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that require Google to enhance accessibility on Android and its Search platform for competitors.
First, Google must grant third-party AI assistants on Android access to essential system features previously restricted to its own Gemini assistant. This change is significant, as approximately 60% of Android users in the EU currently find third-party AI assistants less appealing than Gemini due to their limited functionality.
With this new directive, third-party assistants should be able to utilize core capabilities akin to those of Gemini, all while ensuring privacy and security measures are upheld. Users will have the ability to activate third-party AI assistants with voice commands, similar to the “Hey Google” prompt. These assistants will be enabled to perform various tasks, such as booking taxis, suggesting responses in chat applications, or providing information about recently visited places. To facilitate these functions, access to location history, user messages, and the ability to interact with other applications on the device will be necessary. These changes are expected to roll out by July 2027.
Additionally, the EC has mandated Google to share anonymized Search data with eligible third-party search engines, including AI chatbots with search capabilities. This initiative aims to empower third-party services to enhance their search offerings, fostering competition with Google. The data shared must mirror what Google uses to optimize its own search services.
The data anonymization process is based on a multi-layered method developed in collaboration with both internal and external privacy experts. Before sharing any data, Google will evaluate whether such sharing presents serious cybersecurity and data protection risks. The EC's decision also outlines a "fair formula" for calculating the price of the shared data and establishes a transparent process for accessing it. Google is required to implement this data-sharing mandate by January 2027.
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