EU orders Google to open Android and Search to rival AI assistants by 2027

The European Commission issued two binding decisions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that force Google to open its Android mobile ecosystem and Search platform to rivals. By January 2027, Google must provide competing search engines and AI chatbots—including ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity—with comparable access to search data that Google historically kept proprietary. By July 2027, Android must allow users to set any third-party AI assistant as the default system assistant, giving it the same access to device hardware, voice commands, and app integration as Gemini currently enjoys. The measures stem from technical DMA proceedings rather than fines, but non-compliance could trigger penalties of up to 10% of Google's annual worldwide revenue—potentially tens of billions of dollars.

Google has argued that these requirements compromise user privacy and security, though the EU insists Google can vet services for safety and limit data usage. The rulings could fundamentally reshape the mobile AI landscape in Europe, enabling deeper competition from assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity while potentially setting a precedent for how Brussels handles similar issues with Apple and its Siri AI—Apple has already withheld Siri AI from Europe citing DMA interoperability rules. The EU’s executive vice president Henna Virkkunen stated the goal is to “support innovation and diversity” and give users “greater choice of services.” These changes mark some of the most significant regulatory interventions in Big Tech’s core products, directly impacting Google’s control over two of the most critical platforms in the AI era.