EU forces Google to open Android AI to rivals, Apple pushes back

Google must give competing AI assistants the same system‑level access as its Gemini assistant on Android devices in the European Union, with implementation required by July 2027 and anonymized search‑data sharing to start in January [1]. The ruling targets the dominant reach of Android—about 60 % of EU smartphones—and aims to prevent a single gatekeeper from shaping the fast‑growing AI assistant market, a move that also pressures Apple, which has already stalled new Siri features in the bloc.

EU mandate on Android AI

The European Commission’s binding decision, grounded in the Digital Markets Act, obliges Google to let rival AI services read the screen, handle voice commands, and perform actions in other apps—capabilities currently reserved for Gemini. By granting “equal footing,” the EU hopes to break Google’s leverage over the primary gateway for turning chatbots into everyday assistants. The order also requires Google to provide anonymized search‑query data to competing AI services by January, giving rivals access to behavioral signals that improve search and assistant performance without exposing individual users [1].

Apple’s parallel clash and market impact

Apple faces a similar dilemma: it announced in June that new Siri AI features will not roll out to EU iPhones and iPads because of the same Digital Markets Act requirements [2]. With roughly 427 million EU devices under the regulation, the combined reach of Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS represents a massive distribution channel for AI assistants. Analysts note that ChatGPT is already installed on about 30 % of EU smartphones, and the EU rules could further boost OpenAI’s foothold if third‑party assistants gain deeper OS integration [2].

Competitive landscape and privacy concerns

Both firms argue that opening up system‑level permissions creates security and privacy risks. Google’s counsel warned that sharing sensitive device permissions and search data could “weaken citizen privacy, risk business trade secrets and endanger national security” [2]. Apple echoed similar concerns, claiming the EU would force it to give any virtual assistant direct access to users’ private data. Regulators, however, maintain that gatekeepers can implement appropriate safeguards while still complying with interoperability mandates [2].

What to watch

• July 2027 – Deadline for Google to provide rival AI assistants full Android access.
• January 2024 – Start of mandatory anonymized search‑data sharing by Google.
• Apple’s next OS update – Whether Apple revises its stance on Siri AI features for EU devices in response to the DMA.

The EU’s enforcement of the Digital Markets Act could reshape how AI assistants are distributed on the world’s most popular smartphones, forcing the two gatekeepers to balance regulatory compliance with privacy and security safeguards while opening the door for new competitors to gain a foothold.