The European Commission issued binding DMA measures telling Google how to comply on Android and Search.
Why it matters: The measures could make it easier for rivals to plug into Android and compete for users and data in Europe. For Google, they raise the risk of more open access to key distribution and search inputs that support its market power.
- The European Commission said July 16, 2026, it issued two binding specification measures to Google under the Digital Markets Act.
- One measure focuses on Android interoperability for AI services, including wake words, system-wide entry points and contextual data for on-screen tasks.
- The other requires Google to provide anonymized ranking, query, click and view data on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms to eligible third-party search engines and AI chatbots with search functionality.
- The Commission opened the specification proceedings in January and sent preliminary findings in April for the Android case.
The European Commission on July 16 issued two binding specification measures to Google under the Digital Markets Act, a procedural step that tells the company how it must meet its obligations rather than ending the case. Commission announcement
One measure covers Android interoperability for AI services. The Commission said it wants third-party developers to be able to work with hardware and software features controlled by Android, including invocation through wake words, access to system-wide entry points and contextual data for on-screen tasks. The goal is to make services such as AI assistants more freely and effectively interoperable. Commission announcement
The other measure targets Google Search data. The Commission said eligible third-party search engines must be able to access anonymized ranking, query, click and view data on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. It said the rule also covers certain AI chatbots with search functionality. Commission announcement
The Commission opened the specification proceedings in January and said it sent preliminary findings in April in the Android case. It said it will adopt the final search-data decision by July 27, 2026, so the process is still moving toward a final ruling. Commission proceedings update
AP reported that some anonymized search-data sharing is expected to begin by January 2027. Google did not immediately respond in the materials provided, but the new measures appear aimed at making it easier for rivals to build competing products on top of Android and to improve search and AI services with access to Google data. AP report
By the numbers
- 2 - Binding specification measures the Commission said it issued to Google.
- Jan. 2026 - The month the Commission said it opened the specification proceedings.
- July 27, 2026 - The date the Commission said it will adopt the final search-data decision.
What's next: The Commission said it will adopt the final search-data decision by July 27, 2026.