The European Commission has formally ordered Google to grant third-party artificial intelligence services the same access to Android device features that Gemini enjoys. Europe's Digital Markets Act requires software makers like Apple and Google to ensure equal interoperability for competing apps and services, and the Commission is now enforcing it rigorously.
This decision comes amid escalating tensions between Big Tech and European regulators. Apple, for instance, has already announced that Siri AI will not be available in the European Union when iOS 27 launches, precisely because of the same interoperability rules. While Apple tried to reach an agreement with regulators before launching the feature, Google did the opposite: it integrated Gemini on Android without prior approval, opting to deal with the consequences later. This strategy gave European Android users full access to Gemini, but now the Commission demands full compliance with the DMA.
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Eleven features to be opened up by the 2027 deadline
The European Commission has given Google a full year to implement the required changes, a timeline that could be extended by any legal appeals. Google must grant access to eleven specific features, including the ability for AI apps to be activated via voice commands like "Hey Google" or through buttons such as the home button. Competing services must also be able to perform actions within and across apps, including long-running background tasks. Google is required to provide sufficient hardware and software resources, including access to its on-device AI models, so that rival apps can execute complex tasks. Most of these changes must be implemented by August 1, 2027.
Apple's stance and the dispute with the Commission
The situation parallels that of Apple, which after announcing Siri AI stated that EU regulators rejected its proposed solutions, refusing to engage on options that "preserve privacy and security." Apple had proposed a "Trusted System Agent" to let third-party virtual assistants safely access the same capabilities as Siri, but the Commission argued that the DMA would require granting any AI system "nearly unlimited access to a user's device" with the ability to act autonomously. Ultimately, the Commission found that Apple was unable to develop interoperability solutions meeting EU privacy and security standards, and denied a blanket exemption.
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Google's reaction: privacy at risk, says Mountain View giant
In response to the mandate, Google stated that the requirements "risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." The company has not yet revealed its next steps, but said it will "continue advocating for a balanced approach that protects privacy and security while supporting market goals." Google's position echoes Apple's earlier concerns and hints at possible legal battles. Meanwhile, developers of competing AI apps may soon enjoy a more level playing field on Android, as the European Commission continues its hardline stance against anti-competitive practices in the digital market. For more on recent AI safety initiatives, see the article on OpenAI's GPT-Red, and for insights into iOS 27 beta releases and related legal action, read Apple vs OpenAI. Detailed information on the Commission's decision is available via the original source on MacRumors.
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Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/16/eu-google-ai-apps-android-access
