EU tells Google to open up AI on Android; Google says that’s ‘unwarranted intervention’

Back in January, the European Commission started poking around how Google handles AI on Android. They called it a “specification proceeding.” Now the results are out, and surprise — the EU thinks Android needs to be more open. Google’s response? They’re calling it “unwarranted intervention.” Shocking, I know.

This all comes from the Digital Markets Act (DMA), that big EU law that labels seven tech giants as “gatekeepers” and forces them to play fair. Google has been grumbling about the DMA since day one, but the law isn’t going anywhere. The commission has already been enforcing it for years, and they’re not about to back down now.

The specific issue here is Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. When you fire up an Android phone, Gemini is baked right in. It gets system-level privileges that no third-party AI service can touch. The EU sees that as an unfair advantage. They want Google to open up those same capabilities to competitors — things like voice activation, deep system integration, and default status.

Google argues that this is overreach. They say Android is already open, and that third-party apps can do plenty. But the commission isn’t buying it. They’ve identified too many experiences on Android that are locked to Gemini, and under the DMA, that’s a problem.

If the EU gets its way, Google could be forced to make changes as soon as this summer. That means we might see Android phones where you can pick your AI assistant the same way you pick your default browser or keyboard. That’s a big shift, and it could change how Google approaches AI on its platform.

I’ve been watching this play out for a while. The DMA has already forced Apple to open up its App Store and messaging. Now it’s Google’s turn. Whether you agree with the regulation or not, it’s clear that the EU isn’t messing around. And honestly, I’m curious to see how this shakes out — especially if it means we get more choice in how we interact with AI on our phones.