EU pushes Google to open Android to AI rivals

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published May 3, 2026

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Google is facing fresh regulatory pressure from the European Union after the European Commission proposed measures that could require the company to open Android more deeply to rival artificial intelligence services. The aim is to prevent advanced Android AI features from being largely reserved for Google’s own services, including Gemini.

The Commission says competing AI services should be able to interact effectively with apps on Android devices and carry out practical tasks for users, such as sending an email through a preferred email app, ordering food, or sharing a photo. The proposed measures could also allow rival AI assistants to be activated more easily by users, including through a custom voice wake phrase.

The case falls under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which is designed to curb the power of major digital “gatekeepers” and make digital markets more contestable. The Commission opened proceedings on January 27, 2026, to specify what Alphabet, Google’s parent company, must do to comply with its interoperability obligations for Android features relevant to third-party AI services on mobile devices.

Google has pushed back, arguing that Android is open by design and that device makers already have the freedom to integrate and customize AI experiences. The company has also warned that the EU’s approach could raise costs and create risks for user privacy and security.

The Commission is accepting feedback from interested parties until May 13, 2026, before moving toward a final decision expected by the end of July. Companies that fail to comply with the Digital Markets Act can face fines of up to 10 per cent of annual global revenue.

The case matters beyond Europe. If Brussels succeeds in forcing deeper interoperability on Android, it could reshape competition in smartphones worldwide. Users may eventually have more freedom to choose which AI assistant works across their device, rather than being pushed toward the service controlled by the company that owns the operating system.

For everyday users, the issue is simple: when you buy a phone, should it let you choose the AI assistant that best serves you, or should the operating system quietly steer you toward its owner’s own AI product? That question is now at the centre of the latest clash between Europe and Google.