EU forces Google to share search data and open Android to rival AI companies

What happened

The European Commission on July 16, 2026 issued two rulings under the Digital Markets Act (DMA): Google must open Android to competing AI assistants and share search data with rivals.

Context and impact

The ruling will allow Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity and others to gain the same system access on Android as Gemini — voice activation, app integration, background running. Non-compliance faces fines up to 10% of global annual revenue. Google opposes the decision citing user privacy and security.

Details

• Android (deadline July 2027): Claude/ChatGPT/Perplexity get same system access as Gemini
• Search data (deadline January 2027): third parties get same access to search data as Google Search
• Voice activation: users can set alternative AI assistants as default with full integration
• Google: sharing private searches with unfamiliar companies undermines privacy and security
• Two separate DMA proceedings, rulings issued simultaneously