Google ordered to open up AI and search to EU rivals

• Google must enable rival AI assistants to use voice commands and access key Android functionalities similar to 'hey Google' commands, with changes taking effect in the next Android iteration by July 2027
• The company must provide competitors with data and services access starting January 2025, though it can assess cybersecurity and data protection risks before granting access
• Google's lawyer Kent Walker argued the rulings 'discount extensive evidence of user harm' and that the company had offered alternative solutions to satisfy DMA goals while protecting users

Google Ordered to Open AI and Search Services to EU Rivals

The European Commission has mandated that Alphabet's Google provide access to its services for AI competitors including OpenAI and search engine rivals, enforcing compliance with EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations designed to curb Big Tech dominance.

Key Requirements:

Google must open 11 features on its Android operating system to AI rivals, enabling them to access key functionalities to compete with Google's Gemini AI service. Starting July 2027, users will be able to activate competing AI assistants via voice commands—similar to "hey Google"—for tasks like booking taxis or location searches.

Additionally, Google must provide rivals with clickstream data from its search engine, with implementation beginning January 2026. The Commission will establish a pricing formula for this data access.

Company Response:

Google's lawyer Kent Walker criticized the decision, stating it "risks undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." He argued the company had offered alternative solutions that were dismissed despite "extensive evidence of user harm."

Safeguards:

The measures include privacy and security protections, with Google authorized to assess cybersecurity and data protection risks before granting access. Rival companies must meet specific security and privacy criteria to qualify for the 11 Android features.

Market Implications:

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen expressed hope for "emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google's AI services" that would provide greater consumer choice in the EU market. This decision follows a six-month regulatory review and represents significant enforcement of the DMA against dominant tech platforms.

The ruling affects the competitive landscape for AI assistants and search engines across the European Union's substantial market.