The European Union has ordered Google to open up its Android operating system and search data to rival AI assistants and search engines, citing concerns that Google has been using its dominance to disadvantage competitors. The EU found that third-party AI assistants currently have far more limited access to "key functionalities" within Android than Google's own Gemini, restricting their ability to offer competing services. Google has strongly criticised the ruling, warning it could undermine privacy and security protections for users, and it is expected to challenge the decision.

Under the legally binding rules, Google must begin sharing anonymised search data with rival search engines and AI chatbots by January 2027, with an independent third party assessing the anonymisation methods used. It has until July 2027 to open up equivalent Android features to competing AI assistants, likely giving users a choice screen similar to the existing browser selection prompt, allowing them to set a default assistant activated by voice commands. Google's Kent Walker argued the changes would weaken device security and "endanger national security," a position notably echoed by rival Apple, which separately warned earlier this year that such access could create privacy risks.