EU tells Google to open Android
- The European Commission sent Alphabet preliminary findings on April 27 ordering draft changes that would open key Android features to rival artificial-intelligence assistants. - Brussels said alternative AI services should get access to wake-word activation, app interactions, and hardware-software resources now largely reserved for Google’s Gemini. - The move extends a January Digital Markets Act case into concrete remedies and opens a consultation through May 13. (ec.europa.eu)
The European Commission told Alphabet on April 27 to change Android so rival artificial-intelligence assistants can use features Google now keeps mainly for Gemini. (ec.europa.eu) The draft measures are part of a Digital Markets Act proceeding the Commission opened on January 27, 2026 under Article 6(7), the rule on interoperability for gatekeeper operating systems. (ec.europa.eu) Brussels said competing AI services should be able to trigger with their own custom wake words, interact with apps on a user’s device, and access the hardware and software resources needed to respond reliably. (ec.europa.eu 1) (ec.europa.eu 2) The Commission used concrete examples: a third-party assistant should be able to send an email in the user’s preferred app, order food, or share a photo with friends from an Android phone or tablet. (ec.europa.eu) The case is not yet a final non-compliance ruling. The Commission called these “preliminary findings” and opened a public consultation that runs until May 13, 2026 at 23:59 Central European Summer Time. (ec.europa.eu) Alphabet is designated as a gatekeeper for Android under the Digital Markets Act, which applies special rules to the biggest digital platforms that act as gateways between businesses and users. (ec.europa.eu) In January, the Commission said the Android case would focus on features used by Google’s own AI services, including Gemini, and would spell out how Google must give third-party providers access on equally effective terms. (ec.europa.eu) That January action also opened a separate proceeding into Google Search data-sharing, including whether AI chatbot providers can get anonymized ranking, query, click, and view data on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms. (ec.europa.eu) The Android measures now move the case from broad obligations to a more detailed list of technical changes Google may have to implement across phones and tablets sold in the European Union. (ec.europa.eu 1) (ec.europa.eu 2) The next step is feedback from app makers, device manufacturers, and other companies with firsthand experience building AI services on Android before the Commission decides on final measures. (ec.europa.eu)
