EU Orders Google to Share Anonymized Search Data with Rivals
The European Union (EU) Commission has ordered Google to share anonymized search data with rival search engines under the Digital Markets Act. This move aims to create a more level playing field for third-party search engines and foster innovative services, including privacy-focused alternatives.
Under the ruling, Google must provide equal access to features on its Android devices by January 2027. This includes AI chatbots with search features that can compete with Google's Gemini service. The company will also need to anonymize and share the same data it uses for its services with eligible third-party search providers.
The EU Commission has outlined a formula for calculating the price of shared data, which it calls 'fair.' However, Google will have the option to evaluate whether sharing data with a specific third party poses serious cybersecurity and data protection risks before doing so. The aim is to allow companies to offer European users more options when it comes to their AI services on Android and Search services.
The other half of the ruling focuses on ensuring that users can activate their preferred AI assistant via voice commands, similar to 'Hey Google.' This change is expected to begin in July 2027. Users will have the option to use third-party AI assistants to perform actions in apps on their behalf, such as booking a taxi or asking for suggestions in chat apps.