Overview
- The European Commission issued a legally binding order on Thursday, July 16, 2026 that requires Google to give third‑party AI assistants effective access to key Android functions and to share anonymized Google Search data with eligible competitors.
- Brussels set fixed deadlines: Google must begin sharing anonymized search data by January 2027 and must roll out operational Android changes to end users starting in July 2027, giving roughly a 12‑month window for technical implementation.
- The mandate explicitly requires interoperability features such as custom wake‑word activation so users can choose non‑Google assistants to perform tasks on Android devices.
- The Commission built in safeguards including anonymization rules, a formula and transparent process for pricing data access, and a mechanism for Google to assess cybersecurity and data‑protection risks before sharing with specific parties.
- Google has warned the measures risk user privacy and device security and may seek judicial review, while Brussels says the order is justified under the Digital Markets Act to restore fairer competition and spur privacy‑focused alternatives.