EU orders Google to share search data, open Android to rivals

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

BRUSSELS — The European Commission ordered Google to share anonymized search data with rival search engines and open its Android operating system to competing AI assistants, aiming to boost competition.

The directive, issued under the Digital Markets Act, requires Google to provide specific data to eligible competitors and integrate rival AI assistants into Android features by strict deadlines.

Google must share anonymized data, including search queries, click information, view data and results-position data, with eligible rival search engines and AI chatbots, the Commission stated. This data sharing is to occur under fair and non-discriminatory terms.

The mandate specifically excludes Google’s proprietary ranking algorithms and sensitive user data to address privacy concerns, according to the European Commission.

Eligible AI chatbots can utilize this shared data to enhance their retrieval and ranking systems. However, they are prohibited from using the data to train general AI models or replicate Google’s search results, the Commission clarified.

Additionally, Google is required to open various Android features to rival AI assistants. This includes enabling voice activation and in-app functionality for competing assistants.

The deadlines for these Android changes are tied to the release of Android 18 and August 1, 2028, ensuring timely implementation, the European Commission reported.

Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has expressed disagreement with the Commission’s rulings. Kent Walker, Google’s president of Global Affairs, stated the company has concerns regarding user privacy and security implications.

Walker indicated that Google had proposed alternative solutions to address the Commission’s objectives while mitigating potential risks, but these were not adopted.

The Digital Markets Act aims to curb the power of large online platforms, known as gatekeepers, by imposing specific obligations to foster a more competitive digital market within the European Union. Companies like Bing, DuckDuckGo and SE Ranking are among those that could benefit from the new data access.

Source: Search Engine Journal