EU Forces Google to Share Search Data and Open Android Features to Competitors
Brussels, Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
The European Commission launched two enforcement proceedings requiring Google to provide competitors access to its most guarded assets: Android AI features like Gemini and anonymous Google Search data including user queries and clicks. This marks the first major test of the Digital Markets Act’s power to crack open Big Tech’s competitive moats, potentially reshaping how AI services compete on mobile devices and challenging Google’s search dominance by giving rivals the data they need to improve their algorithms.
Breaking Down Big Tech’s Digital Fortress
The European Commission’s specification proceedings, announced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, represent a watershed moment in digital market regulation [1]. These proceedings formalize the Commission’s regulatory dialogue with Google on two critical areas of Digital Markets Act compliance, targeting the company’s most strategically valuable assets [1]. The first proceeding focuses on Google’s obligation under Article 6(7) of the DMA to provide third-party developers with free and effective interoperability with hardware and software features controlled by Google’s Android operating system [1]. Specifically, the proceedings zero in on features used by Google’s own artificial intelligence services, particularly Gemini [1]. This requirement could fundamentally alter the competitive landscape for AI services on mobile devices, as third-party developers would gain unprecedented access to the underlying systems that power Google’s AI capabilities.
Unlocking Search Engine Competition Through Data Access
The second set of proceedings addresses Google’s obligation under Article 6(11) of the DMA to grant third-party providers of online search engines access to anonymized ranking, query, click and view data held by Google Search on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms [1]. The scope of these proceedings encompasses critical technical details including the specific data to be shared, the anonymization methods to be employed, the conditions governing access, and crucially, the eligibility of AI chatbot providers to access this treasure trove of search data [1]. This data sharing requirement could prove transformative for competitors, as access to Google’s vast repository of user interaction data would enable rival search engines and AI systems to refine their algorithms and better understand user behavior patterns. The European Commission’s LinkedIn announcement emphasized that this measure aims to empower other search engines and potentially AI chatbots to optimize their services and contest Google Search’s dominant position [2].
Innovation Benefits and Competitive Implications
The interoperability requirements promise to unlock significant innovation potential in the mobile AI ecosystem. By mandating that Google provide free and effective interoperability with Android’s AI-related features, the Commission is creating opportunities for third-party AI service providers to innovate and compete fairly in the rapidly evolving AI domain for smart mobile devices [2]. This could lead to a proliferation of diverse AI services that can leverage Android’s underlying capabilities without being constrained by Google’s proprietary barriers. The data sharing obligations carry equally profound implications for search engine innovation, as competitors would gain access to the behavioral insights and ranking signals that have historically given Google its competitive edge. This democratization of search data could accelerate the development of alternative search technologies and AI-powered information retrieval systems.
Enforcement Timeline and Market Impact
The specification proceedings launched on February 3, 2026, mark the beginning of a formal regulatory process designed to ensure Google’s compliance with DMA obligations [1][2]. These proceedings represent the Commission’s commitment to implementing digital market reforms that could reshape how major technology companies operate across European markets [GPT]. The timing is particularly significant as it coincides with the rapid evolution of AI technologies and increasing scrutiny of Big Tech’s market dominance. While the sources do not specify Google’s headquarters location in relation to these proceedings, the enforcement actions will affect Google’s operations across all EU member states, including digital economy hubs like the Netherlands [alert! ‘location inference based on general knowledge of Google’s Mountain View headquarters not explicitly stated in sources’]. The outcome of these proceedings could establish important precedents for how the DMA will be enforced against other major technology platforms designated as gatekeepers under the regulation.