EU Orders Google to Grant Competitors Full Android AI Access

On July 16, the European Commission issued a formal directive requiring Google to provide competing AI applications with the same deep Android integration currently exclusive to Gemini, Google's AI assistant. This mandate compels Google to allow rival AI services to access system-level features on devices such as the Pixel 10 Pro in accordance with the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Specifically, the order demands that Google enable competing AI apps to respond to voice activation commands like "Hey Google" or a device's activation button. Additionally, these apps must be able to perform tasks both within and across other applications, including those running in the background.

The directive also requires that rival AI services have the capability to extract contextual information from applications and device sensors to provide proactive assistance. Furthermore, these apps must be permitted to utilize the same hardware components and on-device AI models that Gemini currently employs.

The European Commission has expressed concerns that failing to comply could jeopardize essential privacy and security protections for millions of users across Europe.