The European Union has issued two landmark decisions requiring Google to grant competing AI assistants and search engines comparable access to Android and Google Search data. The rulings mark a major enforcement action under the EU's Digital Markets Act.
The EU issued the two decisions Thursday, targeting Google's dominance over critical digital platforms. Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Google must provide rival AI assistants with equal access to certain Android features and furnish competing search engines with comparable data from Google Search.
The directives represent significant constraints on Google's control over two of technology's most influential platforms. Android powers billions of devices globally, while Google Search maintains an overwhelming market share in web search across Europe.
The Android requirement focuses on AI capabilities. Google's Gemini assistant currently enjoys built-in advantages on Android devices, but rivals must now receive comparable access to underlying system features needed to compete effectively.
For search, the EU is requiring Google to share certain Search data with competing search engines. This aims to level competitive conditions and prevent Google from leveraging its search dominance to entrench its market position.
Google has faced intensifying scrutiny from European regulators over anticompetitive practices. The company previously received a record €2.4 billion fine in 2018 for manipulating search results to favor its own services.
These decisions could reshape the competitive landscape for both AI assistants and search engines in Europe. By mandating open access, the EU is attempting to create space for alternative products to gain traction against Google's established services.
Google has not yet indicated whether it will comply immediately or challenge the decisions. The company has 60 days to present a compliance plan and faces potential fines up to 10% of annual revenue for non-compliance with DMA orders.
The rulings reflect the EU's aggressive stance on digital competition, using the DMA as a tool to curb what regulators view as unfair practices by tech giants. Similar enforcement actions against other large tech companies are expected as the regulation takes effect.
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