European Union | Regulatory Framework
Status: ongoing
Effective: 2026-01-27
moderate EU starts DMA specification proceedings on Google’s Android AI features and Search data access
Commission opens proceedings to assist Google in complying with interoperability and online search data sharing obligations under the Digital Markets Act
I. Regulatory Summary
Tech/competition advisers should expect more prescriptive requirements for access to Android AI‑relevant features and to Google Search datasets. This can materially affect contractual negotiations, compliance programs, and competitive strategies for AI providers and search rivals.
II. Full Description
On 27 January 2026, the Commission opened two DMA specification proceedings for Google.
• Article 6(7) interoperability: the Commission will specify how Google should grant third‑party AI service providers equally effective access to Android features used by Google’s AI services.
• Article 6(11) search data access: the Commission will specify scope and conditions for third‑party access to anonymised Search ranking/query/click/view data on FRAND terms, including eligibility questions for AI chatbot providers.
The Commission stated it will conclude the proceedings within six months and publish non‑confidential summaries to enable third‑party comments.
III. Scope & Application
The European Commission started two sets of Digital Markets Act (DMA) specification proceedings to clarify how Google must comply with Android interoperability (Article 6(7)) and Google Search data access (Article 6(11)) obligations. The proceedings explicitly focus on features used by Google’s AI services (eg, Gemini) and on whether AI chatbot providers are eligible to access anonymised Search data on FRAND terms.
IV. Policy Impact Assessment
Tech/competition advisers should expect more prescriptive requirements for access to Android AI‑relevant features and to Google Search datasets. This can materially affect contractual negotiations, compliance programs, and competitive strategies for AI providers and search rivals.
Primary Focus: digital competition / platform interoperability and data access affecting AI services