EU Orders Google to Open Android to Rival AI Assistants

The European Commission issued a directive on Thursday, compelling Google to grant rival artificial intelligence assistants the same level of access to the Android operating system that its own Gemini assistant currently possesses. This order mandates that third-party AI assistants will be able to access the device's camera, microphone, and whatever content is displayed on the screen. Furthermore, they will gain the ability to be activated by a wake word even when the display is off, and to control other applications running in the background by simulating user interactions like taps and typing.

Google is required to implement these changes in the next major release of its mobile operating system, Android 18. The company has a deadline of August 1, 2027, to comply with this regulatory order. This decision by the European Commission aims to foster greater competition within the AI assistant market on the widely used Android platform, preventing Google from leveraging its dominant position to unfairly advantage its own AI services.

The directive specifically targets the deep integration Gemini has with Android, which allows it to perform complex tasks and respond to user commands with a high degree of autonomy. By requiring Google to open these functionalities to competitors, the EU seeks to create a more level playing field, enabling other AI developers to offer comparable or innovative services to Android users. This move is part of a broader effort by the European Union to regulate large technology companies and ensure fair competition in digital markets.