The European Union is demanding that Google open its Android operating system to artificial intelligence competitors for certain functions and provide search data to rival online search providers.
The EU regulator stated that under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Google must allow users to activate their preferred artificial intelligence assistant using voice commands by July next year. The European Commission also noted that by January 2027, third-party search engines should have the same access to search data that only Google Search can currently collect on a large scale, particularly from artificial intelligence chatbots.
Although this announcement does not conclude non-compliance with the DMA, it aims to compel Google to redesign its services to align its technologies with the bloc’s regulations, which establish a series of safeguards to control the behavior of large technology companies.
EU statements on digital transformation
“Society is undergoing a profound digital transformation. We must keep this process fair and ensure choice for our citizens,” said the head of the EU’s antitrust department, Teresa Ribeiro, on Thursday. “Our decision will help smaller competitors, search engines, or artificial intelligence assistants compete and provide this choice while protecting user privacy.”
Additional accusations and Google’s response
This escalation comes as Google, owned by Alphabet Inc., faces separate significant fines totaling millions of euros under the DMA. These fines are related to accusations that the company unfairly favors its own services within its extensive search empire and prevents app developers from directing consumers to offers outside its Play Store.
For its part, Google rejected the EU’s escalation on Wednesday. President of Global Affairs Kent Walker stated that these decisions “risk undermining vital privacy and security guarantees for millions of Europeans.” In his statement, he noted that the company “has repeatedly offered solutions to protect users while meeting the DMA’s goals, but these rulings ignore extensive evidence of harm to users.”
Source: Bloomberg
