EU Tells Google to Open Up Its Digital Toolkit

Key points

• The European Commission announced on Thursday that Google must share search data with competitors.
• Third-party AI assistants will gain more access to Android, starting in July 2027.
• Google has until January 2027 to comply with the search data sharing rules.
• The EU aims to level the playing field for smaller firms in the AI and search markets.

If you've ever felt like Google had all the search goodies to itself, the European Commission (EC) agrees. On Thursday, the EC decided Google needs to share its search data with other search engines and allow more freedom for AI assistants on Android phones. It’s a move to give smaller companies a fair shot. First reported by The Register AI, this decision isn't about punishing Google for breaking rules. Instead, it's about making sure Google, as a company big enough to control market access, plays nice and shares.

Google's Android phones currently favor its own AI assistant, Gemini. But by July 2027, third-party AI assistants will get more wiggle room. They’ll be able to do things like be voice-activated and perform actions in apps, just like Gemini. Google isn’t thrilled, arguing it poses security risks.

The EC, however, promises checks will be in place. Google can limit access to third-party AI that meet their privacy and security standards. So, no, your phone won’t be turned into a Wild West of unwanted AI.

On the search side, Google will need to start sharing its treasure trove of search data by January 2027. The EC wants other search engines to use Google's data to improve their services. This includes sharing data with AI chatbots to enhance their performance. Google’s concerns? It worries that private search data might end up with unfamiliar companies and that this could be like opening Pandora’s box for privacy issues.

The EC has thought of that, too. They’ll require that shared data is anonymized, meaning any personal info like usernames, passwords, or bank details will be removed. Google will have the final say over what's shared and can check for cybersecurity risks before handing over any info.

Google has some time to get used to these changes. The EC’s decision will be reviewed every two years to see how it's working out in real life.

What happens next?

Google now enters a phase of getting ready to comply with the new rules by 2027. This means they'll have to prepare to open up their search data and make Android more welcoming to other AI assistants. If you're a Google user, expect some changes in how your data is handled and your choice of AI on your phone.

It might be a bumpy road, but the goal is more choice and competition, which could mean better services for all of us in the long run.