WORLD NEWS
EU orders access to 11 Android AI features and Google Search data
On July 16, 2026, the European Commission adopted two binding measures requiring Google to give rival AI services equal access to 11 core Android features and to supply anonymized Search data to eligible rival search and AI services.
The decisions recast operating-system access enjoyed by Gemini and search signals available at Google scale as conditions of competition under the Digital Markets Act.
What opens inside Android
The 11 features fall into four groups: invocation, context, actions across apps and the operating system, and system resources. They cover calling a chosen assistant by voice or button, understanding consented screen, sensor and app context, and completing tasks such as drafting email or changing settings.
Third-party AI must also receive equivalent access to on-device models such as Gemini Nano and background-execution resources. The Commission says Android is used by about 60% of European mobile users.
What Search data is included
Eligible search services can obtain query, ranking, click and view data. AI chatbots that provide online search may also qualify.
The measure does not hand over Google algorithms, account information or complete personal search histories. Privacy techniques include suppressing rare or long queries and generalizing location and time.
The timetable runs into 2028
Most Android features are due with Android 18 and no later than August 1, 2027. Concurrent hotword detection for multiple assistants is due with Android 19 and no later than August 1, 2028.
For Search data, application information is due by late August 2026, test material and draft licensing in September, an anonymized dataset in November, and proposed pricing in January 2027.
AI competition now reaches beyond the model
As assistants become a main way to operate a phone, voice activation, screen context, cross-app actions and on-device models can matter as much as model quality. The EU has moved beyond permission to install an app and specified the capabilities needed to compete inside the operating system.
Rival search providers may also use large anonymized signal sets to improve results. The practical effect will depend on data quality, price, eligibility and adoption.
Privacy and security remain disputed
The Commission points to user consent, objective eligibility, independent certification and the GDPR. Google argues that opening sensitive permissions and Search data can raise privacy and security risks and that anonymization may be inadequate.
The measures do not mean these features are already available on every device. Supported hardware and implementation by manufacturers and developers must be assessed in 2027 and 2028.
Official Primary Sources
European Commission DMA: Android AI interoperability specification
European Commission DMA: Google Search data-sharing specification