type: incident · created: 2026-07-18 · updated: 2026-07-18 · tags: [incident, regulation, dma, google, android, ai-assistants] · confidence: high · affected_sectors: [technology] · au_impact: true
EU Orders Google to Open Android Mic, Camera, and Screen to Rival AI Assistants
The European Commission adopted two binding specification decisions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on 16 July 2026, ordering Google to give rival AI assistants the same system-level access to Android as Gemini — including camera, microphone, screen content, wake-word activation and the ability to drive other apps.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator | European Commission (DMA) |
| Requirement | Equal system-level Android access for rival AI assistants |
| Scope | Camera, microphone, screen content, wake-word activation, app-driving |
| Deadline | Android 18, by August 2027 |
| Date | Decisions 16 July 2026 |
| Source | The Hacker News — Tier 2/4 |
Google must ship these changes in Android 18 by August 2027 — a structural interoperability decision with direct implications for AI-assistant and mobile-platform competition.