Google Under Fire: EU Orders Deadline to Unlock Android for Rivals

TLDR

• The European Union has given Google a six-month deadline to comply with Digital Markets Act rules.
• Google must allow rival AI tools to work on Android without technical restrictions.
• The company is required to share online search data with competing search engines under fair conditions.
• EU officials will provide Google with initial findings within three months during the ongoing review.
• Google has raised concerns that the new rules could harm user privacy and innovation.

European regulators have ordered Google to eliminate roadblocks that limit access for rival AI search tools on Android devices, enforce search data sharing, and follow rules under the Digital Markets Act within six months, or face penalties.

EU Sets Timeline for Compliance Under DMA

The European Commission launched two proceedings targeting Google’s Android practices and AI-related search data access. Officials aim to enforce the Digital Markets Act and monitor Google’s compliance with its new legal obligations.

Under this move, Google must allow other companies to connect their AI tools to Android. It must also give competing search engines access to data under reasonable terms.

The Commission will share its initial findings with Google within three months. Full reviews will conclude by the end of the six-month window.

The enforcement does not yet qualify as a formal investigation. However, it increases pressure on Google to adjust its services.

EU Competition Chief Teresa Ribera explained the Commission’s goal. “We want to help Google understand how to comply with the law,” she said.

She also stated that regulators want “an open and fair field” for AI search innovation. The proceedings follow previous warnings issued to tech gatekeepers.

Google Pushes Back Against Search and Interoperability Orders

Google expressed concern about the Commission’s requirements. The company warned that compliance could harm privacy, security, and innovation.

Clare Kelly, Google’s senior competition counsel, said these moves “are often driven by competitor grievances rather than consumers’ interests.”

She stated that Google wants to work with regulators but raised doubts about the impact of enforced data access.

Google must now prove that its Android ecosystem allows integration of third-party AI tools. The company must also give search competitors fair access to online data.

If it fails to comply, the EU may escalate the proceedings into a formal case. That would bring the risk of financial sanctions.

Current EU rules allow for fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue. However, the Commission rarely applies the full amount.

Officials said the Android review aims to ensure rival AI tools work without unfair limitations. The same applies to the data-sharing requirement.

Ongoing Scrutiny Over Google Business Practices

This latest step adds to Google’s growing regulatory issues in the EU. The Commission is reviewing several practices tied to the DMA.

Among them are allegations that Google favors its own services in search. Officials are also reviewing how Google controls its Play Store ecosystem.

Regulators question if Google prevents app developers from linking to cheaper offers outside its store. They are also checking claims about search result rankings.

The Commission suspects Google’s algorithms may push down some news content. These concerns remain under separate examination.

In September 2024, the Commission took similar steps against Apple. That case focuses on iOS and its limits for competing developers.

EU officials confirmed that AI oversight will be part of their wider DMA review. That broader review is expected by May 2026.

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