EU orders Google to open Android features and Search data to rivals
European Commission orders under the Digital Markets Act would require broader Android access for rival AI assistants and sharing of anonymized Search data, drawing criticism from Google and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
The European Commission has ordered Alphabet’s Google to open key Android features to rival AI assistants and share anonymized Google Search data with competing search providers under the Digital Markets Act. Reports said the measures cover 11 Android features and would require Search data sharing from January 2027 and Android changes with the next major Android release in July 2027, although an earlier report cited a July 27, 2026 compliance deadline. Google objected on privacy, trade secret, and national security grounds, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance said the orders would unfairly aid rivals and could expose sensitive data. Alphabet shares fell more than 4% as investors weighed the regulatory action alongside concerns about AI spending, earnings, and product execution.
- Digital Markets Act: A European Union law designed to curb the power of large digital platforms and increase competition.
- AI assistants: Software agents that use artificial intelligence to help users perform tasks or access services.
- interoperability: The ability of outside services or software to work with a platform’s system-level functions.