EU Orders Google to Share Anonymized Search Data with Rival Engines

The European Union's Digital Markets Act has taken a significant step forward as Google is now required to share anonymized search data with rival search engines. The ruling, effective from January 2027, aims to create a more level playing field for third-party search providers.

The EU Commission has clarified how Google must give third parties access to data and features needed to improve their services. This includes competitors of artificial intelligence (AI) services, such as Gemini, which will have equal access to features on Google's Android devices by January 2027.

The ruling also focuses on ensuring that users can activate their preferred AI assistant via voice commands, similar to the 'Hey Google' command. This change is expected to begin in July 2027, allowing users to delegate tasks and receive suggestions from third-party AI assistants.