Google faces a new requirement from the European Union to grant rival AI assistants the same system features and data access it provides to its own Gemini model, a move that highlights the tech giant’s ability to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act while keeping its AI foothold intact.
EU order forces Google to open Android to AI competitors
The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch tasked with enforcing competition rules, issued two decisions on Thursday that label the company as a “gatekeeper” under the DMA. The rulings obligate the firm to extend to third‑party AI assistants the level of system integration it currently reserves for Gemini, its flagship AI offering embedded in Android.
Google has until July 2027 to comply, giving it roughly a year to continue expanding Gemini, negotiate technical details with regulators, and shape how rivals will eventually plug into the Android ecosystem. The company may still challenge the decision in court, though it has not confirmed whether it will do so.
It maintains that opening its systems could jeopardize user safety, security, and privacy. Nevertheless, the year‑long runway effectively preserves a significant advantage: Gemini is already preinstalled on many devices as the default AI assistant, allowing the firm to reinforce its position before competitors such as OpenAI or Anthropic secure comparable access.
Related: Valve reverses course on Steam Deck battery sales
Apple’s contrasting approach to the DMA
Apple’s response to the same regulatory framework has been markedly different. When the firm announced its new Siri AI assistant last month, it explicitly stated that the feature would not launch in Europe because of the DMA. Apple argued that providing third‑party assistants with comparable access would be “irresponsible” and pose unacceptable privacy and security risks.
The Commission rejected Apple’s request for an 18‑month grace period to roll out a compliant version of Siri AI. The company has not set a public timeline for a European release, and it declined to comment on the matter when approached by media outlets.
In contrast, Google secured a compliance window that allows Gemini to remain on the market while the firm works toward meeting DMA requirements. This disparity may reflect the differing stages of each firm’s AI strategy when the DMA began influencing product decisions. Gemini has been central to Google’s AI roadmap for years, while Siri AI is a newer addition that Apple chose to withhold from the EU.
Implications for the AI market in Europe
The EU’s decision forces Google to open Android’s AI‑related APIs and data to rivals, potentially leveling the playing field for emerging assistants. However, the extended compliance deadline means the firm can continue to refine Gemini’s capabilities and market share throughout the next year.
Related: iRobot unveils manual floor cleaner
Apple, on the other hand, faces uncertainty about when, or even if, Siri AI will become available in the EU. The public stance has turned the delay into a political narrative, emphasizing regulatory constraints over product readiness.
Analysts note that the divergent timelines could influence developer choices, as app creators may favor platforms with broader AI compatibility. For now, Google’s head start appears to give it a distinct edge in the European AI sector.
Regulators continue to monitor the situation, and both firms remain under pressure to meet the DMA’s interoperability standards. The outcome will likely shape how AI assistants are deployed across billions of devices in the coming years.
