EU Orders Google to Open Android Mic, Camera and Screen to Rival AI Assistants

The European Commission has issued binding specification decisions under the Digital Markets Act, ordering Google to grant rival AI assistants the same access to Android device features as its own Gemini assistant. This includes the camera, microphone, screen contents, wake word activation, and the ability to control other apps via simulated taps and typing. Google must implement these changes in the next major Android release (Android 18) by August 1, 2027.

The decision covers 11 operating system features, with five classified as ‘restricted’ (requiring certification) and six as unrestricted. For the restricted features, Google must establish a Qualified AI Assistant Programme, allowing third-party Trusted Certification Authorities to certify assistants free of charge. The unrestricted features—including ambient data access, always-on hotword detection, and background execution—must be opened to all third-party apps without Google restricting their use.

Additionally, Google is required to provide anonymized Search query, click, and ranking data to rival search engines and AI chatbots for a cost-based fee. The anonymization process involves stripping direct identifiers, suppressing rare terms, and generalizing metadata to groups of at least 1,000 users. Recipients must have at least 50,000 monthly average EU users and meet security and data protection criteria.

Google has raised concerns about device security and user privacy, arguing that the decision could expose sensitive permissions to external apps. The Commission has incorporated safeguards, including certification requirements and integrity measures, which Google must apply equally to its own services. The fight now moves to the drafting of the programme terms, due by February 1, 2027.