The European Union has officially mandated that Google must share search data with competing search providers, aiming to loosen Google's dominance in web search. The new rules require Google to offer data transparently and for a reasonable fee, addressing concerns that previous offers were insufficient. This mandate extends to treating AI chatbots as search services for data-sharing purposes, allowing smaller companies to access metrics similar to what Google itself uses.

Google's president of global affairs, Kent Walker, voiced strong opposition, asserting that the European Commission's chosen path "goes too far and will harm users." He argued that the decisions risk undermining privacy and security guardrails and expressed concern about granting AI assistants deeper integration with Android, suggesting it could bypass safeguards. Google also contends that sharing search data as demanded by the EU poses risks to user privacy.

Despite Google's objections, the company has until January 2027 to begin sharing search data and until July 2027 to update the Android platform for deeper AI app integration. The Commission is open to amending the decision regarding data anonymization and handling of identifiable information.