Google, Apple battle the EU over AI assistants

The European Commission is pushing Google and Apple to give rival AI assistants greater access to smartphones, aiming to boost competition under the Digital Markets Act. 

The new rules require Google to expand access to Android by July 2027, allowing third-party AI assistants to use voice commands, interact with apps, and offer services similar to Google’s Gemini.

The EU also wants Google to begin sharing search data with competing search engines and AI chatbots starting in January. Regulators believe these steps will create more choices for the bloc’s 427 million Android phone and iPhone users.

Google and Apple oppose the move, arguing it could expose users’ private data and weaken device security. Apple has already delayed the launch of its upgraded Siri AI features in the EU, citing regulatory concerns.

Experts agree that giving AI assistants deeper access to smartphones raises privacy and security risks. However, some question whether tech companies are also trying to protect their market dominance as AI becomes the next major battleground in the smartphone industry.