The European Union has instructed Google to open two significant resources to competitors in the AI search and assistant space.
- From January 2027, Google must share anonymized search optimisation data with OpenAI and other AI search services under a regulated pricing formula.
- By July 2027, Google must open 11 Android functions that will allow rival assistants to respond to voice commands, find places, and book rides.
The measure uses tools from the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA was designed to open up platforms that act as gatekeepers in mature digital markets; the current decision aims to reduce Google’s distributional and data advantages by giving competitors access to data and platform functions that have been central to Google’s position.
The move has prompted debate because it applies a regulatory framework built for established gatekeepers to an AI market that is still emerging. Google indeed holds large distribution and data advantages, but Gemini has not achieved the same level of dominance that Google Search has historically held, and some observers consider OpenAI to be closer to securing the next major gateway in the space.
Practically, the ruling means that resources which previously contributed to Google’s competitive moat — exclusive data access and platform features — will be made available to rivals under regulated terms. The ultimate impact will depend on which competitors can most effectively use the opened resources to improve user experience and gain market traction.
Implementation details, including the exact regulated pricing mechanism, will be set by the authorities, and the market consequences will only become clear after the measures are put into practice.
Why this matters
The decision exemplifies the EU’s willingness to constrain major tech gatekeepers even in fast-evolving markets. It also raises the question of whether forcing access in an early-stage market may effectively subsidize whichever companies are first to convert the newly available data and functionality into a dominant position. The real-world outcome will hinge on the specifics of implementation and how market participants respond.
