Google ordered to open search data to AI rivals under EU rules

The EU regulators have ordered Google to provide access to its search data to tech competitors, including OpenAI and other search rivals under the EU-mandated Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The European Commission issued these specific requirements 6 months after the initial formal proceedings.

The primary objective of this order is to curb Big Tech’s market dominance and ensure transparency and fair competition in the AI and search sectors.

Under the mandated rules, Google is required to open up 11 features on its Android operating system to AI competitors, aiming to improve access to key functionalities, so that they can compete with Google’s Gemini AI service fairly.

Starting in July 2027, the next iteration of Android will introduce enhanced support for third-party AI assistants. It means with this update the users can easily activate rival assistants through voice commands.

These measures will also ensure that the users’ privacy and device security should also be protected.

Google is also required to share the collectible data, used by the tech giant to optimize the search services, to other companies. Before sharing, it will analyze security related and data protection risks. The EU measure must be implemented from January next year.

The rules met with criticism from Google. Google's lawyer Kent Walker said in an email, "Today's decisions risk undermining vital privacy and ⁠security guardrails for millions of Europeans.”

"We ​have repeatedly offered solutions to safeguard users while satisfying the DMA's goals, but these rulings ​discount extensive evidence of user harm," he said.