EU cracks open Google's Android and Search empire as US-Iran conflict escalates
The European Union handed Google its most consequential regulatory order in years on Thursday, demanding the company pry open Android and Google Search to rival AI assistants and search engines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) [1]. The twin rulings could reshape how Android us
The European Union handed Google its most consequential regulatory order in years on Thursday, demanding the company pry open Android and Google Search to rival AI assistants and search engines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) [1]. The twin rulings could reshape how Android users choose AI assistants and how competitors access search data that Google has historically kept to itself.
Under the Android decision, Google must give competing assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity comparable access to device features and data that Gemini enjoys, including voice-triggered commands and deeper hardware integration [1]. The search-data proceeding requires Google to share information generated by Google Search with rival search engines and AI chatbots, with limits on how that data can be used [1]. Google has until January 2027 to begin sharing search data and until July 2027 to implement the Android changes; failure to comply could bring fines of up to 10 percent of global annual turnover [1]. Google pushed back immediately, with global affairs president Kent Walker warning the rulings risk "undermining vital privacy and security guardrails" [1].
The rulings arrive as Brussels also pressures Apple over Siri AI interoperability, signaling that the EU intends to keep enforcing the DMA aggressively against U.S. tech giants [1].
Meanwhile, the U.S.-Iran war entered a dangerous new phase. The United States expanded its airstrike campaign early Friday by hitting bridges in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, part of President Donald Trump's effort to pressure Tehran into easing its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz [2]. Iranian state media said at least seven people were killed in strikes on Bandar Khamir, while U.S. Central Command reported hitting dozens of targets during the sixth consecutive night of American attacks [2][3].
Iran responded by launching missiles at U.S.-allied Gulf states, including Qatar, where air defenses intercepted incoming fire and falling debris wounded a child [2][3]. Kuwait and Bahrain also activated defenses [3]. The interim ceasefire agreed to last month has collapsed, and Iran has reportedly told Yemen's Houthi rebels to prepare to disrupt Red Sea shipping if the U.S. strikes Iranian power infrastructure [3]. With roughly a fifth of global oil and gas trade once passing through Hormuz in peacetime, the widening conflict is already rattling energy markets and maritime routes [2].