Apple Backs Google Against EU Push to Open Android to Rival AI Services

Apple has thrown its weight behind Google in pushing back against European Union regulators who want to require broader access for competing artificial intelligence services on Android.



The European Commission recently asked for feedback on draft measures designed to help Google comply with the Digital Markets Act. If adopted, the proposals would allow third-party AI tools to interact more deeply with Android apps so they can perform tasks like sending emails, sharing photos, or ordering food. Google has argued the plans could undermine existing privacy and security safeguards for users.


Now, Apple is echoing many of those concerns. The company has a vested interest in the outcome since it builds its own operating systems and faces similar regulatory pressure to open the iPhone and Mac to competitors.

In a formal submission reviewed by Reuters, Apple warned that the draft measures raise urgent issues. "If confirmed, they would create profound risks for user privacy, security, and safety as well as device integrity and performance," Apple told regulators.

The company pointed to the rapidly evolving nature of AI as a reason for caution. "Those risks are especially acute in the context of rapidly evolving AI systems whose capabilities, behaviours, and threat vectors remain unpredictable as we are now seeing time and again," the submission stated.

Apple also questioned the European Commission's technical expertise, arguing that regulators were effectively redesigning an operating system by overriding the judgment of Google's own engineers after less than three months of work. Apple added that the approach is especially dangerous when the guiding principle appears to be "open and unfettered access."


The intervention marks another clash between Apple and Brussels. Just a few months ago, Apple accused the European Commission of using political delay tactics to justify fines over its App Store business terms.

Separately, Apple is preparing broader AI integration changes of its own. The company is reportedly planning to let users choose rival AI models across Apple Intelligence in iOS 27, potentially allowing services like Google Gemini or Anthropic's Claude to handle certain requests.