EU Forces Google to Open Android AI in 2027

Google will have to open key parts of Android to rival AI assistants and share anonymized Search data with approved competitors across the EU, under new enforcement measures tied to the Digital Markets Act. The rollout begins in 2027, with regulators aiming to give challengers to Gemini and Google Search a better shot in Europe.

According to Reuters, the European Commission said Google must open 11 Android features to competing AI providers. That could eventually let users trigger a non-Google assistant with a voice command similar to “Hey Google” and allow rival services to perform background actions such as finding local information, booking a restaurant, or requesting a taxi through another app.

Henna Virkkunen, the EU tech chief, said regulators want to encourage “emerging alternatives to Google Search and Google’s AI services, such as Gemini” while giving users more choice across the bloc. Access will not be unrestricted: companies will need to meet privacy and security requirements, and Google can assess whether applicants pose cybersecurity or data-protection risks before granting access.

Recommended reading

Hisense led TV sales in Russia during World Cup spike

The order also requires Google to provide eligible search engines and AI chatbots with anonymized data used to improve its search services. The Associated Press said regulators see Google’s huge search-data advantage as something smaller rivals cannot easily replicate. Approved companies will pay for access based on a pricing formula.

Google has pushed back. Kent Walker, the company’s president of global affairs, said the decisions risked “undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans.” EU officials said the shared data must be anonymized and that the measures include safeguards for device security, data protection, and system integrity.

What changes for EU Android users and businesses

For users, the most visible shift starts in July 2027: more choice over which assistant handles voice commands, searches, and app-driven tasks. That may also mean paying closer attention to permissions, including which assistant is active and what data it can access.

For businesses, especially in finance, healthcare, and government, the change adds new policy and compliance decisions. IT and security teams may need to decide which assistants employees can use, whether background actions should be allowed, and how third-party providers handle company data.

The Commission’s order is legally binding under the DMA, Euronews noted, though it is separate from a formal infringement investigation that could still lead to fines. For smaller developers and AI companies, broader Android access and shared search data could make it easier to build services for European languages, local markets, and regional customer needs.