The European Commission has ordered Google to give competing AI assistants greater access to features within the Android operating system. The changes are intended to allow services from companies such as OpenAI to compete more fairly with Google’s Gemini assistant.
The Commission also directed Google to share anonymised search data with eligible search engines and AI chatbots. The measures are intended to encourage greater competition, innovation and user choice while retaining privacy and cybersecurity safeguards.
Key facts
- Competing AI assistants will receive access to 11 Android features.
- Users will be able to activate alternative assistants using voice commands.
- Approved assistants will be able to perform tasks within other apps, such as booking transport.
- Eligible search services will receive anonymised data used by Google to improve its own search products.
- The search-data measures are expected to begin in January 2027, with the Android changes following from July 2027.
Our take
Greater interoperability could make it easier for users and businesses to choose an AI assistant based on its features, privacy settings and suitability, rather than being limited by the operating system installed on their device. However, allowing AI assistants to interact more deeply with mobile devices also increases the potential impact of an error or security weakness. Access should be carefully controlled, particularly where an assistant can read messages, access personal information or perform actions through other apps.
KiwiGen.AI 