A PYMNTS Company

EU Pushes Google to Open Android AI Features and Search Data to Rivals

By  |  January 27, 2026

The European Commission has opened two formal specification proceedings aimed at clarifying how Google must meet key obligations under the Digital Markets Act, according to a statement released today. The move is intended to guide the company in adjusting its business practices while ensuring that competitors are able to operate on equal terms within the digital marketplace.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The proceedings are part of a regulatory dialogue between the Commission and Google that seeks to define how the company should implement specific rules under the DMA. Per a statement, the Commission said the actions are designed to support fair competition and innovation while giving Google a clearer framework for compliance.

    The first case focuses on Google’s duties under Article 6(7) of the DMA, which requires the company to offer free and effective interoperability to third-party developers for hardware and software features managed through its Android operating system. According to a statement, the current discussions center on technical functions used by Google’s own artificial intelligence tools, including its Gemini service. The Commission plans to outline how Google should extend the same level of access to rival AI developers so they can integrate with Android in a comparable way.

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    Regulators say the goal is to ensure that independent developers have the same opportunities as Google to build innovative services for smartphones and other connected devices. By requiring equal technical access, the Commission hopes to prevent dominant platforms from using their control of operating systems to favor their own products.

    Related: Google to Settle Claims of Improper Voice Data Collection for $68 Million

    The second proceeding targets Google’s responsibilities under Article 6(11) of the DMA. This provision obliges the company to share certain data generated by Google Search with competing search engine providers. Per a statement, the Commission will examine what types of data should be included, how that data must be anonymized, and under what conditions it can be accessed on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.

    This review will also consider whether AI-powered chatbots should be eligible to receive the shared search data. Officials believe that meaningful access to this information would allow rivals to improve their search technologies and offer users credible alternatives to Google’s dominant service.

    According to a statement, the Commission expects to complete both proceedings within six months. Over the next three months, it will send Google its preliminary findings and outline proposed measures intended to ensure compliance with the DMA. Non-confidential versions of these findings will be made public so that third parties can submit feedback.

    The Commission emphasized that these specification proceedings do not, by themselves, determine whether Google is in violation of the law. However, per a statement, the regulator retains the authority to issue formal non-compliance decisions and impose fines or recurring penalty payments if necessary.

    Source: Digital Markets Act