EU forces Google to open key Android features under Digital Markets Act
On 16 July 2026 the European Commission adopted a decision under the Digital Markets Act that obliges Alphabet (Google) to make eleven Android functionalities available to third‑party AI assistants on equal terms. The required features include always‑on wake‑word detection, ambient sensor access, screen automation and access to on‑device models such as Gemini Nano.
Implementation is phased: most obligations must be met by 1 August 2027, aligned with the expected release of Android 18, while parallel hot‑word detection that allows multiple assistants to listen simultaneously must be ready by 1 August 2028 with Android 19. Google must also supply documentation, testing tools, technical support and certify five especially sensitive functions. Additionally, the Commission mandates that Google share anonymised search‑data metrics (rankings, queries, clicks, impressions) with competing AI providers under FRAND principles.
The Open Home Foundation, representing developers of the Home Assistant platform, contributed to the consultation after years of difficulty implementing wake‑word detection on Android. The foundation hailed the decision as a win for privacy, user choice and sustainability in smart‑home ecosystems.
Entities: Alphabet (Google) · Android · Digital Markets Act · European Commission · Google · Home Assistant · Open Home Foundation
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Most obligations must be implemented by 1 August 2027, coinciding with the expected release of Android 18. (539a67a6-99a5-43d6-aa9e-d8b3ae924a8d)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Parallel hot‑word detection for multiple assistants must be functional by 1 August 2028, with Android 19. (539a67a6-99a5-43d6-aa9e-d8b3ae924a8d)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Open Home Foundation contributed to the EU consultation and views the decision as a win for privacy, choice and sustainability. (ff5ffc80-0106-4530-bbd3-fcc49d981a4c)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Developers such as Home Assistant previously lacked access to DSP‑based wake‑word detection, leading to higher battery consumption. (ff5ffc80-0106-4530-bbd3-fcc49d981a4c)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The required Android features include always‑on wake‑word detection, ambient sensor access, screen automation, and access to on‑device AI models. (ff5ffc80-0106-4530-bbd3-fcc49d981a4c, 539a67a6-99a5-43d6-aa9e-d8b3ae924a8d, 676f0b9e-8207-494b-84ba-c865f6c52f69)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Google must provide documentation, test tools, technical support and certify five especially sensitive functions. (539a67a6-99a5-43d6-aa9e-d8b3ae924a8d)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Google must share anonymised search data (rankings, queries, clicks, impressions) with competing AI providers under FRAND terms. (539a67a6-99a5-43d6-aa9e-d8b3ae924a8d)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The European Commission adopted a decision on 16 July 2026 under the Digital Markets Act requiring Google to open eleven Android features to third‑party AI assistants. (ff5ffc80-0106-4530-bbd3-fcc49d981a4c, 539a67a6-99a5-43d6-aa9e-d8b3ae924a8d, 676f0b9e-8207-494b-84ba-c865f6c52f69)