EU Orders Google to Give Rival AI Apps the Same Android Access as Gemini

[MacRumors]

The European Commission today formally ordered Google to give third-party AI services the same access to Android device features that Gemini has. Europe's Digital Markets Act requires software makers like Apple and Google to grant equal interoperability to third-party apps and services, and the EC is enforcing it.

DMA interoperability rules are why Siri AI won't be available in the European Union when iOS 27 launches. While Apple tried to work out an agreement with regulators before launching Siri AI in Europe, Google did the opposite. Instead of asking, Google just launched Gemini integration on Android and opted to deal with the consequences afterward. Google's strategy gives Android users in Europe full Gemini access while it works on compliance with the DMA.

The European Commission is giving Google a full year to implement changes that will meet the Digital Markets Act requirements, and that's before any legal appeals Google might make.

The European Commission is making many of the same demands of Google that it made of Apple. Google must allow AI apps to access 11 features, such as:

• AI services must be accessible through voice commands like "Hey Google" or through access points like the home button or another activation button.
• AI services must be able to complete actions in and across apps, including completing long-running tasks in the background.
• Google must allow AI services to access context from apps and device sensors so AI can offer proactive services and anticipate user needs.
• Google has to give AI apps sufficient hardware and software resources, including access to its on-device AI models to execute tasks.

Google is required to implement the majority of the European Commission's changes by August 1, 2027.

Shortly after announcing Siri AI, Apple said EU regulators would not accept any of its proposed solutions to introduce the feature, and refused to engage on options that "preserve privacy and security." Apple wanted to use a Trusted System Agent that would allow third-party virtual assistants to safely access the same device capabilities as Siri AI.

Apple said the Digital Markets Act would require it to give any AI system "nearly unlimited access to a user's device," along with the ability to act on that information autonomously.

The European Commission claims Apple was "unable to develop interoperability solutions that meet essential EU privacy and security standards" and instead asked for a blanket exemption from the interoperability requirements, which the EC did not grant.

In response to the EC's mandate, Google said the requirements "risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." Google hasn't given information on its next steps, but it says it plans to "continue advocating for a balanced approach that protects privacy and security while supporting market goals."

Article Link: EU Orders Google to Give Rival AI Apps the Same Android Access as Gemini

 

[Naraxus]

The EU can kick rocks.

 

[Reason077]

To use a poker analogy:

Google called.
Apple folded.

 

[mudflap]

LOL Google actually said "risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans."

GOOGLE said that.

 

[tonmischa]

Thanks for paying for my Health Care, Mr Google! 👍😊

 

[rorschach]

How long until they order Apple and Google to make all their code open source? Only half joking…

 

[iLuddite]

Haha, now it’s google’s turn 🔪

 

[Ax1sNXS]

How long until they order Apple and Google to make all their code open source? Only half joking…

exactly. they want the rewards without the risks... typical EU

 

[xxFoxtail]

So when does Google pull out of the EU?

 

[gaximus]

I hope google just does the same thing as apple. Pull the feature from the EU.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

In response to the EC's mandate, Google said the requirements "risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." Google hasn't given information on its next steps, but it says it plans to "continue advocating for a balanced approach that protects privacy and security while supporting market goals."

Did they get this reply from Apple as part of the Gemini deal?

 

[AusMness]

Gotta feel bad for EU users man, no one is safe

 

[tonmischa]

So when does Google pull out of the EU?

Right after hell freezes over. Wanna bet? 😆

Honestly I think they can't afford to. It's simply a numbers game.
Lose all EU revenue vs. losing some revenue and paying some fines. Keeping at least some EU revenue will always win.

 

[Kkspire]

they just won’t get the features. Too much resources are being navigated away to try to navigate there way around this mess if I had to guess. It does sound like a privacy nightmare.

 

[Starfia]

So excited about Siri AI.

Better move to the EU and buy a Pixel 10.

 

[inventor7777]

I love the idea of allowing equal market access, but I do think some safeguards should be in place to protect the users.

For example, consider push notifications. Most, if not all, mainstream notifications go through Apple APNs or Google Firebase Cloud Messaging, and then further down, each OS has fine grained controls about who can send you notifications and other such settings. I don't hear anyone complaining about that.

Allowing AI companies, of all possible types, access to your phone data and context simply does not sound like a good idea in this exact unwavering stance the EU is taking here.

 

[firstcitazen]

the question is who is actually fighting for the consumer? Does anyone believe the EU is honestly trying to help EU citizens?

 

[surferfb]

• AI services must be accessible through voice commands like "Hey Google" or through access points like the home button or another activation button.
  
• AI services must be able to complete actions in and across apps, including completing long-running tasks in the background.
  
• Google must allow AI services to access context from apps and device sensors so AI can offer proactive services and anticipate user needs.
  
• Google has to give AI apps sufficient hardware and software resources, including access to its on-device AI models to execute tasks.

EU has jumped the shark on these. And that’s saying a lot. No wonder Apple kept Siri AI out of the EU. There is no universe where Apple lets “Hey Siri” activate Grok. None. It’s absurd the EU thinks that’s an acceptable requirement.

 

[stripes21]

So, Google is given well over 18 months (since the integration of Gemini into Android in the EU) to open up Android and allow competitors the same OS access that Gemini has, but when Apple asks for the same treatment they’re told to take a hike by EU regulators? Wow.

Apple should sue.

Google and their customers are being rewarded because Google deliberately ignored the law. While Apple and their customers are being punished because Apple is following the law and making a fuss about it. Insane and unjust application of the law by the EU.

 

[tonmischa]

There is no universe where Apple lets “Hey Siri” activate Grok. None.

While we sometimes disagree on some EU issues, I am with you on that one.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in every-day use.

Maybe it was a calculated move by Apple to hold Siri AI back and let Google test the waters first? So they could see what the EU allows and what they could do better? Would be a good move...

 

[Sebosz]

I hope google just does the same thing as apple. Pull the feature from the EU.

As an European user, count Microsoft in and we’re good. The less AI slop thinking for us the better 😊

 

[bobbyjack]

The EU is doing its job by keeping a company from forcing a monopoly, and apparently, most people on this sub have an issue with that. It is crazy how few people actually see the point of this requirement.

 

[Ax1sNXS]

EU has jumped the shark on these. And that’s saying a lot. No wonder Apple kept Siri AI out of the EU. There is no universe where Apple lets “Hey Siri” activate Grok. None. It’s absurd the EU thinks that’s an acceptable requirement.

agreed. My concern is that the EU is focusing on equal access without giving equal weight to accountability. Not every AI provider has the same privacy standards or security track record. If Android grants deep system access to third-party AI and that access is abused, users will still hold Google responsible because it's Google's platform. Interoperability is important, but so is ensuring the company responsible for the operating system can protect its users.

 

[Sebosz]

agreed. My concern is that the EU is focusing on equal access without giving equal weight to accountability. Not every AI provider has the same privacy standards or security track record. If Android grants deep system access to third-party AI and that access is abused, users will still hold Google responsible because it's Google's platform. Interoperability is important, but so is ensuring the company responsible for the operating system can protect its users.

I don’t see anyone complaining about Apple / Google because of apps on alternative app stores available in the eu. If user decides to use some shady ai - that’s on them. They could probably do that with jailbreak too. Your whole speech is based on some bizarre assumptions.

 

[surferfb]

agreed. My concern is that the EU is focusing on equal access without giving equal weight to accountability. Not every AI provider has the same privacy standards or security track record. If Android grants deep system access to third-party AI and that access is abused, users will still hold Google responsible because it's Google's platform. Interoperability is important, but so is ensuring the company responsible for the operating system can protect its users.

Agree with everything you say here. The other issue with the EU is they assume developers are good actors and users are sophisticated.

AI companies won’t pop up an alert that says “give us permission to upload everything you do to the cloud, train our models on it, and sell ads against your end-to-end encrypted messages that we can see because the EU made Google give us access to everything” - they’re going to pop up an alert “Set Grok as the default”.

And 95% of users won’t know what they’re approving when they click yes.