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Google is better at playing this game
The European Commission has ordered Google to give rival AI assistants the same level of access to Android's system features and data that it grants its own Gemini assistant, under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Although the ruling forces Google to open up a platform it has long guarded, it also hands the company a lengthy grace period, allowing it to keep strengthening Gemini's position on Android before competitors such as OpenAI and Anthropic gain similar access — making the outcome less damaging than it might first appear.
Google has until July 2027 to comply, giving it roughly a year to negotiate technical details with Brussels and could still challenge the decision in court. By contrast, Apple was told it must make its new Siri AI assistant compliant before it can even launch in the EU; the Commission rejected Apple's request for an 18-month phase-in period, and Apple has said Siri AI will not launch in Europe for now, with no public timeline given. Both companies argue that opening up their systems risks compromising user privacy and security, but Google's "ship first, negotiate later" approach has left it in a notably stronger position than Apple's more cautious stance.
In short
- EU orders Google to open Android's AI features to rivals by July 2027
- Apple must make Siri AI DMA-compliant before EU launch, unlike Google
- Google's grace period lets Gemini keep its Android advantage longer
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Regulators must prevent dominant platforms from using gatekeeping power to entrench their own services at competitors' expense. Google and Apple control the primary operating systems billions use daily; allowing them unchecked discretion to favour their own AI assistants whilst excluding rivals perpetuates anti-competitive monopolies. Security and privacy concerns, whilst legitimate, can be adequately managed through properly designed APIs and regulatory oversight—these companies already grant third-party access to sensitive features. Without intervention, these platforms will simply replicate their dominance in search and apps into AI.
The case against
Companies responsible for operating systems have legitimate obligations to maintain security, privacy and system integrity that cannot be fully managed when forced to integrate competitors' AI assistants deeply into their platforms. Google and Apple built these ecosystems at enormous cost and bear the liability if third-party integration causes failures or vulnerabilities. Rather than forced interoperability that risks compromising what users depend on, competition should operate through alternative platforms and devices. Mandating access treats technological ecosystems as utilities, which stifles innovation and investment in building secure, integrated experiences.
Explained simply
The European Commission has ordered Google to give rival artificial intelligence assistants access to the same system features and data from Android that its own Gemini assistant uses. This decision stems from the Digital Markets Act, an EU law designed to prevent large technology companies from unfairly dominating markets by locking advantages to their own products.
The ruling affects companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, which develop AI assistants that compete with Gemini. Currently, Google can use data and features built into Android — the software that runs most smartphones globally — to give Gemini advantages that competitors cannot access. Opening up this access is intended to create fairer competition in the rapidly growing AI market.
However, Google has been given until July 2027 to comply, providing roughly a year to negotiate technical details and continue strengthening Gemini before rivals gain access. The company also retains the option to challenge the decision in court. By contrast, the Commission rejected Apple's request for a similar grace period, and Apple has not launched its new AI assistant in Europe.
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