Brussels: The European Commission on Thursday adopted two legally binding decisions requiring Google to expand interoperability for rival artificial intelligence (AI) assistants on Android devices and share Google Search data with eligible third-party search providers under the Digital Markets Act.
According to Anadolu Agency, the EU Commission stated that these measures are designed to promote fairer competition by enabling competing AI services to access key Android functionalities that are currently exclusive to Google's own AI assistant, Gemini. This initiative aims to enhance access to search data for alternative search engines and AI-powered search services.
Under the first decision, Google is required to enable third-party AI assistants to utilize Android system features that allow users to activate them via voice commands and perform tasks across various applications, akin to Google's own assistant. The Commission highlighted that users will have the option to select alternative AI assistants for tasks such as booking taxis, generating suggested replies in messaging applications, or answering questions based on recent locations visited.
The second decision outlines rules for Google's obligation to share anonymized Google Search data with eligible third-party search providers, including AI chatbots that offer search functionalities. The Commission emphasized that access to search data is crucial for competitors to develop and enhance their search services, thereby diminishing Google's competitive edge in a market where it has amassed extensive data over many years.
The bloc has established a pricing methodology for data access and a transparent process for companies to obtain the data. Google will maintain the authority to evaluate whether sharing data with specific recipients poses significant cybersecurity or data protection risks before granting access. The Commission has mandated that Google start sharing search data with eligible providers by January 2027, while the Android interoperability measures are expected to be available to users by July 2027.