European Commission official notice, 16 July 2026: two sets of binding DMA specification measures issued to Google.
(1) Android AI interoperability: ensure competitors’ AI services can compete with Google’s own AI (e.g. Gemini) by equal access to features on Google Android devices. Currently third-party AI assistants have restricted OS access vs Gemini’s full access, limiting attractiveness for ~60% of EU users on Android.
Decision ensures users can activate preferred AI assistant via voice commands similar to “Hey Google”; use third-party assistants to perform in-app actions (e.g. book a taxi, suggested replies in chat apps, ask about a recently visited place). Incorporates safeguards for privacy, device integrity, and security.
The Verge (July 16): Google has until ~July 2027 for Android changes and January 2027 to begin sharing search data. Failure to comply could mean fines up to 10% of annual worldwide turnover. Android decision requires interoperability so users — not Google — decide whether competing tools access data and hardware; could include ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity as deeply integrated system assistants. Google (Kent Walker) pushed back citing privacy/security risks; EU says limits on search-data use and Google may vet which services get deeper Android access.
TECHi / EC developer portal: 11 Android features; most due with Android 18 by 1 August 2027; concurrent hotword detection deferred to Android 19 / 1 August 2028.
(2) Google Search data sharing: rebalance playing field by giving third-party search engines (and AI chatbots offering search functionalities) access to search data Google collects at scale. Specifies eligibility, anonymisation (multi-layered, aligned with draft DMA/GDPR Joint Guidelines), Google’s ability to assess cyber-security and data-protection risks before sharing, fair pricing formula, and transparent access process. Commission may amend anonymisation measures based on future evaluation.
EVP Henna Virkkunen (via The Verge): measures aim to support innovation and diversity, enabling fair competition in Android AI assistants and search; hope for emerging alternatives to Google Search and Gemini.
Primary: https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/commission-provides-guidance-google-ai-interoperability-android-and-sharing-google-search-data-under-2026-07-16_en
Secondary: https://www.theverge.com/policy/966438/eu-google-android-ai-interoperability-search-data-dma