EU tells Google to open up Android AI; Google predictably calls it ‘unwarranted intervention’

Back in January, the European Commission kicked off what they call a “specification proceeding” into how Google handles AI on Android. The results are now in, and—surprise, surprise—the EU thinks Android needs to be more open. Google, equally predictably, is calling this “unwarranted intervention.”

None of this is shocking. We’ve been here before, just swap out the specific feature. Search, app stores, browsers—the EU has been prying open Google’s Android ecosystem for years under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Now it’s AI’s turn.

The DMA designates seven big tech companies as “gatekeepers,” subjecting them to extra rules meant to keep competition fair. Google has been fighting these regulations since day one, but the law has been in effect for a few years now, and the Commission shows no signs of backing down.

The specific gripe here is Gemini‘s built-in advantage on Android. Fire up any Google-powered phone and Gemini is right there, baked into the system. Third-party AI services don’t get that same treatment. The Commission argues that too many Android experiences are locked to Google’s own AI, and as a gatekeeper, that has to change.

I’ve been watching this dance for years, and I have mixed feelings. On one hand, Google’s integration of Gemini is undeniably tight—it’s their OS, their AI, their phone partners. On the other hand, the DMA exists precisely because dominant platforms can use that tight integration to shut out competitors before they even get a chance. Remember when Microsoft got slapped for bundling IE? Same playbook, different decade.

The real question is what happens next. The Commission could force Google to make changes this summer. That might mean giving third-party AI assistants deeper system access, or letting users pick a default AI provider at setup, similar to the browser choice screen we already have in Europe. It could also mean opening up APIs that currently only Gemini can call.

Google’s argument, as you’d expect, is that this is meddling that hurts the user experience. They’ll say security, privacy, and smooth integration are at risk if they have to open things up. And honestly, they’re not entirely wrong—there are real technical challenges here. But the DMA doesn’t care much about technical convenience when market dominance is on the line.

I think the most interesting part is the timing. AI is moving fast, and regulators are scrambling to keep up. The EU is trying to set rules before the market locks in, which is smart in theory. In practice, we’ll see if the remedy actually helps anyone but the lawyers.

Either way, this is going to be a messy fight. Google has deep pockets and a lot of lawyers. The EU has precedent and a clear mandate. And users? We’re stuck in the middle, hoping the outcome is an Android that’s either more open or more polished—not just more complicated.