The European Commission has escalated its antitrust scrutiny of Google, issuing new demands for detailed information on how the company restricts third-party access to AI features on Android devices and handles search data sharing. The move, which was reported by Reuters and confirmed by EU sources, signals a deepening investigation into whether Google’s dominance in mobile operating systems and search is stifling competition in the fast-growing generative AI market.
According to people familiar with the matter, the Commission sent fresh questionnaires to Google in late 2025, focusing on two core areas:
Restrictions on AI integration in Android
EU regulators are examining whether Google prevents or limits rival AI developers (such as OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, or Mistral) from pre-installing or deeply integrating their large language models and AI assistants into Android smartphones and tablets. The Commission is particularly concerned about contractual clauses, technical barriers, and revenue-sharing agreements that could favour Google’s Gemini AI ecosystem over competitors.
Access to Search data for AI training
The second inquiry targets Google’s refusal to share anonymous search query data with third parties developing AI models. Regulators want to determine whether withholding this data creates an insurmountable barrier for competitors trying to train or fine-tune generative AI systems capable of competing with Google’s own search and AI-powered products.
The latest requests build on the EU’s long-running antitrust cases against Google, including the Android ecosystem fine (2018, €4.34 billion) and the ongoing Digital Markets Act (DMA) compliance probes. Under the DMA, Google is already classified as a “gatekeeper” for Android and search, requiring it to allow fair access and interoperability.
Google’s response to EU
Google has maintained that its Android and search practices comply with competition law and benefit users by delivering high-quality, integrated AI experiences. A company spokesperson stated, “We continue to engage constructively with the European Commission and provide the information requested. We believe our approach supports innovation, choice, and competition while protecting user privacy.”
However, the EU’s intensified focus comes at a critical time. Rival AI firms have publicly complained that without access to Android’s default assistant slot or meaningful search data, they cannot effectively challenge Google’s dominance in mobile AI. Mistral AI and other European startups have specifically called for regulatory intervention to ensure a level playing field.
If the Commission finds evidence of anti-competitive conduct, Google could face fresh fines (potentially in the billions of euros), structural remedies (such as forced unbundling of Gemini from Android), or behavioural obligations requiring it to open up data and integration points to competitors.
EU aggressively curbing Big Tech
The latest enquiries reflect the European Union’s broader push to curb Big Tech power in the AI era. The bloc has already fined Google more than €8 billion across three antitrust cases since 2017 and imposed strict rules under the DMA and AI Act. The Commission is also investigating Microsoft’s bundling of Copilot with Windows and OpenAI’s partnership structure.
The outcome of this investigation, expected to stretch into 2026 or beyond, will have major implications for Google’s Android strategy, the competitiveness of European AI startups, and the future shape of mobile AI ecosystems worldwide.
Google has until early March 2026 to respond to the latest information requests, after which the Commission will decide whether to open formal charges or seek commitments from the company to address competition concerns.
