Google must act on EU DMA guidance
The European Commission has issued binding guidance to Google on two separate issues covered by the Digital Markets Act.
The DMA regulates large digital platforms and sets out obligation to ensure that they do not unfairly tip markets in their favour.
The guidance issued yesterday (16 July) covers rival AI services’ access to Google Android devices and giving third-party search engines access to search data that the commission says only Google Search can collect at scale.
Technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen said that the EU hoped that the measures would lead to “emerging alternatives” to Google’s search and AI services, giving EU users greater choice.
Android access ‘restricted’
The EU body says that rivals’ AI assistants currently have only restricted access to key functionalities of the Google Android operating system, meaning that they are not competing on an equal footing with Google's own AI services.
The commission's decision will ensure that users can activate their preferred AI assistant via voice commands, similar to the ‘Hey Google’ command.
Users will also be able to use third-party AI assistants to perform actions in apps on their behalf.
Search data
The commission has also specified how Google should share search data with other search engines.
The EU body describes data-sharing as “crucial" for the development and optimisation of third-party search engines.
“It helps to create a more level playing field with Google Search, and fosters innovative search services, which includes privacy-focused alternatives,” it states.
Google must start sharing search data with eligible search engine providers from January 2027. The commission says that users will start benefiting from the changes to Android from July 2027.
The EU body says that the decisions “fully respect” Google's rights of defence and remain subject to independent judicial scrutiny.