The European Commission said on July 16 it adopted binding measures under the Digital Markets Act requiring Google to give rival AI assistants. It also ordered Google to provide eligible third-party search engines in the European Union with anonymized Google Search data.

For Android, the Commission said rival AI assistants are currently blocked from functions Gemini can use, including voice activation, understanding onscreen context, and taking actions across other apps.

Google must implement most measures in Android 18 by Aug. 1, 2027. Some hotword-related changes due in Android 19 by Aug. 1, 2028.

For search, Google must provide anonymized ranking, query, click, and view data on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms starting in January 2027.

Separate enforcement under the Digital Markets Act could still lead to fines or periodic penalty payments if regulators later find Google non-compliant.

🔗 Source: Security Times

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