The facts: The European Commission announced new specification measures under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) forcing Google to open its ecosystem on two critical fronts: share search data with competitors and allow third-party AI assistants equivalent system access to Gemini on Android. The decisions are legally binding.
Context: Since the DMA took effect in 2024, the EU has fined Apple, Meta, and Google, ordering them to modify business practices. The new measures — after months of consideration — target two pillars of Google's dominance. On Android, Gemini is preloaded on all Google-certified phones with system features, app automation, and screen content access that competitors lack. The Commission says this makes third-party AI assistants "less attractive to 60% of EU users who have an Android device."
On search, Google must provide data transparently and at a reasonable fee to competing providers. The measure also treats AI chatbots as search services for data sharing purposes — an explicit acknowledgment that the boundary between traditional search and conversational AI is dissolving.
Google reacted sharply. Kent Walker, president of global affairs, said "today's decisions risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." The company claims it offered more balanced solutions, but the Commission chose a harder path that exposes trade secrets and even national security.
Analysis: The EU is doing something unprecedented: using competition regulation to shape AI platform architecture. By forcing Google to open Android to rival AIs, the Commission treats AI assistants as a distinct market needing competition at the operating system level. Including AI chatbots as search services for data sharing is particularly clever — it closes a loophole Google could exploit by arguing conversational AIs don't compete with traditional search.
What to watch: Implementation will be the real test. The EU is open to adjustments ensuring identifiable data is protected, but Google may appeal in court. The precedent for other markets — especially the US and UK — is enormous. If the EU succeeds in forcing effective search data sharing, the search oligopoly may finally face real competition.
Source: Ars Technica
