EU Commission Obliges Google to Open Android for Competing AI Assistants

Background: Gemini on Android

The background to the action is the dominant position of Gemini on Android. "The Google chatbot Gemini is pre-installed on Android smartphones and is the only one that responds to a 'Hey Google' via voice control." Until now, it has only been possible to install chatbots as a regular app on the phone. With the new directive, Brussels is responding to the growing importance of AI assistants as an entry point to digital services. "All AI assistants should be able to send messages or book a taxi via voice control."

In the case of the search engine, the Commission is targeting the undisputed market leader of recent years. Competitors, including AI assistants with search functions, "should therefore get access to search results, most-searched terms, and click rates." "The data should be transmitted in anonymized form according to the Commission's information." Google will, however, be allowed to review them before transmission: "Google may review them in advance for risks to cybersecurity and data protection."

Deadlines and Timeline

The deadlines are tight. "Google is being given around half a year for this change." For the implementation of the directive on AI assistants, the EU Commission is granting approximately one year. The half-year deadline is envisaged for the search engine data.

Google reacted with sharp criticism. "The directive endangers device security because numerous apps would receive extensive permissions without security checks." Furthermore, "smartphone manufacturers are responsible for this, not Google as the publisher of the Android operating system." The company demanded a "flexible" implementation of the requirements and wants to adjust the measures. Google also warned that the prescribed disclosure of data endangers the privacy of millions of users.

Google's Reaction

At the same time, the company pointed out that AI assistants already have access today alongside voice control. In addition, device security would be impaired by the requirement, because numerous apps would receive extensive permissions without security checks taking place. Google reserves the right to take legal action but initially announced no lawsuit: "Google can go to court against it, but initially made no such announcement."

EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera defended the action. "The directives would help smaller competitors assert themselves against Google and thereby create alternatives." The task of the EU Commission, she said, was to ensure "that our citizens can decide freely."

Years-Long Dispute with Brussels

The EU Commission justifies its intervention with a clear market failure. "Brussels wants to break the market power of the US giant." As long as Google does not share its data, no competitor can stand up to the US company. The Commission also accuses Google of "displaying its own providers such as Google Shopping at the very top of search results and charging excessive fees in its Google Play Store."

The conflict has a long history. "The EU Commission has been disputing with Google's parent Alphabet for years over its market power." "It has imposed several billion-euro fines in recent years because Google exploits its position as market leader to cement its own position." Further proceedings are ongoing: "Further proceedings are underway in Brussels over alleged violations of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA)."

The Commission considers further sanctions possible. "Further fines could therefore be imposed as early as next week." This means the pressure on Alphabet remains high, while Google is trying to gain room for maneuver in the concrete implementation of the new rules. Observers expect that the dispute will likely only be decided in court.

The EU Commission's directive is part of a broader strategy to enforce the Digital Markets Act. With the obligation to open Android to alternative AI assistants and to release data for the search engine, Brussels wants to strengthen user choice and push back the dominance of a single provider. The outcome of the coming weeks is likely to show whether Google accepts the directives or takes the legal route.

The reporting was broadcast on Deutschlandfunk on 17 July 2026. The EU Commission published its directive one day earlier, on Thursday, 16 July 2026. The deadline for implementing the AI assistant rule thus runs until mid-2027; the data sharing must be carried out within roughly half a year.