Overview
- The European Commission issued legally binding Digital Markets Act orders on Thursday that require Google to provide anonymized search logs starting January 2027 and to open 11 Android features to rival AI agents with changes rolling out from about July 2027.
- Google formally objected and warned the orders risked exposing private searches, weakening device security, and creating national security risks, with company officials urging stronger safeguards.
- Brussels says it assessed privacy and integrity and will limit access to rivals that meet security and data‑protection criteria while using a formula to set the price for shared data.
- The Android changes specifically require voice activation for third‑party assistants and the ability for rival agents to run background tasks such as booking services through other apps, steps meant to let alternatives work at parity with Google’s services.
- The DMA gives regulators power to impose fines up to 10% of global turnover for breaches and builds on past EU actions forcing access to Google services and ordering large antitrust penalties, a move that could reshape competition and user choice across Europe.