European Union Orders Google to Open Android to Rival AI

The European Commission has announced a major decision that will change how artificial intelligence (AI) works on smartphones across Europe. Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA)—a set of rules designed to ensure fair competition in the digital economy—Google is now required to open its Android operating system to rival AI platforms. This means that Google must allow other companies to offer AI assistants that work as smoothly and effectively as its own tool, Gemini.

For years, Google’s Gemini has held a special position on Android devices. It is pre-installed on most Google-certified phones and has deep access to system features, such as screen content and app automation. According to the European Commission, this setup limits the ability of other AI developers to compete. The Commission noted that because third-party assistants cannot access the same system data, they are less attractive to the 60% of European users who own Android devices. By forcing Google to share this access, regulators hope to give users more choices when selecting an AI assistant.

This development follows a period of intense pressure on major technology firms. As Ars Technica reports, the European Commission has been using the DMA to monitor and change the business practices of companies like Apple, Meta, and Google since 2024. These companies are classified as “gatekeepers,” meaning they are large, dominant platforms that control access to digital services. Because of this status, these companies are legally required to follow strict rules to prevent them from using their size to block smaller competitors.

Google has expressed significant concerns regarding the new order. The company argues that opening up its systems to third-party AI could create serious risks for user privacy and device security. Google maintains that its current system is safer because it keeps control over how data is processed. However, as The Verge reports, the European Commission has stated that the new measures were designed specifically to protect user privacy while still allowing for competition. Despite these disagreements, Google is legally bound to follow the ruling.

Interestingly, the situation highlights a strategic difference between Google and its rival, Apple. While Apple recently decided to delay the launch of its own AI features in Europe due to the DMA’s requirements, Google has chosen a different path. According to The Verge, Google has secured a "grace period"—a set amount of extra time to meet new requirements—that lasts until July 2027. This gives Google roughly one year to continue developing Gemini and to negotiate the technical details of how its rivals will connect to Android. By shipping its product first and working with regulators later, Google has managed to keep its AI on the market while it prepares to follow the new rules.

This decision comes at a time when governments around the world are becoming more active in regulating AI. For example, recent reports indicate that Australia has launched a new Office of AI to manage technology growth and protect the rights of creators. Meanwhile, legal battles continue to shape the industry, such as the recent lawsuit filed by Apple against OpenAI regarding the alleged theft of trade secrets. These events show that the technology sector is facing a wave of new oversight as regulators try to balance innovation with public safety.

For now, the focus remains on how Google will implement these changes. The company has not publicly stated whether it will challenge the decision in court. If it does not, it must work closely with the European Commission to ensure that third-party AI assistants can function on Android without compromising the experience for the average user. Whether this will lead to a more open market for AI or simply create new technical challenges remains to be seen. For the millions of Android users in the European Union, the change means that they may soon have the freedom to choose an AI assistant that best fits their needs, rather than relying solely on the one provided by the phone manufacturer.