EU mandates Google to share search data and open Android AI access under DMA

The European Commission has issued binding measures under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) requiring Google to share search data with competitors and allow third-party AI assistants deeper integration on Android devices. Google opposes the ruling, arguing it compromises user privacy, security, and trade secrets, while the EU maintains the changes are necessary to foster competition. Google must begin sharing search data by January 2027 and update its Android platform for AI integration by July 2027.

The new specification measures target two core areas of Google’s business: Android phones and Google Search. Under the Android mandate, Google will be required to open access to competing AI platforms. Currently, Google’s Gemini receives preferential access, including preloading on Google-certified phones and responding to the Hey Google hot word. The EU argues that third-party AI assistants are currently limited in offering innovative services, affecting the 60% of EU users who own Android devices.

For search, Google must provide data to other search firms transparently and for a reasonable fee. This includes treating AI chatbots as search services for data-sharing purposes. The EU alleges Google’s previous sharing offers were insufficient, necessitating these new rules to help smaller players challenge Google’s market dominance. The goal is to provide other companies with access to search metrics similar to those Google itself sees, which regulators claim is essential for competition.

Google’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, stated that the company offered more measured solutions but believes the Commission’s path goes too far. Walker argued that the decisions risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans. He contends that granting non-Gemini AI platforms deeper integration with Android could circumvent safeguards, and that sharing search data as mandated will risk user privacy and business trade secrets.

The Commission is open to amending the decision to ensure identifiable data is handled appropriately, acknowledging Google’s concerns about anonymisation. Google must be ready to start sharing search data with other companies in January 2027. The Android platform must be updated for deeper integration with AI apps by July 2027.