Does this mean ChatGPT will work like Gemini on Android?

That's the goal — if the decision succeeds, you could set ChatGPT, Claude, or Mistral as your default assistant on Android with the same permissions: long-press access, screen data, wake words, and app permissions.

Why is the Commission specifically targeting AI assistants?

The Commission's position is that a company controlling roughly 65% of Europe's mobile operating system market cannot be the sole arbiter of which AI gets to talk to the phone.

Google submitted its objections during the public consultation period that ended May 13. But if the final decision issues in July — compliance is mandatory or a 10% fine of Alphabet's annual worldwide revenue (billions of dollars).

Does this affect Android users in the Middle East?

The European ruling applies in Europe only. But practically — Google may apply the same changes globally because managing two different versions of Android is complex and costly.

Is this beneficial for the average user?

If you prefer a specific assistant — yes. If you're happy with Gemini — you won't notice a major difference. But competition typically pushes Google to improve Gemini itself to face rivals.

European Commission Orders Google to Open Android to Rival AI Services — ChatGPT and Claude Get Same Access as Gemini: Long-Press, Wake Words and Context Data

European Commission Challenges Google — Gemini Won't Be Alone on Android

The European Commission feels that Alphabet (Google) hasn't done enough and has kept some features related to AI exclusive to its own Gemini platform. The Commission has proposed changes to resolve the situation and has invited people to a public consultation.

Three Core Issues at the Heart of the Decision

The discussion focuses on three key issues: the ability of users to invoke AI-powered services via wake words; the possibility of AI-powered services to effectively interact with users' applications to understand their context and execute tasks on their behalf; and access to the necessary hardware and software resources for AI-powered services to be reliable and responsive.

The Golden Button — The Long-Press

The EU wants that, if you prefer using ChatGPT, Claude, or any other assistant, they should all be able to do more than just answer questions in a standalone app. One of the points under discussion is the "long-press" shortcut — on most modern Android devices, this gesture is reserved for Gemini or Google's Circle to Search.

An AI assistant that cannot be triggered by voice, cannot read what is on the screen, and cannot interact with the operating system's core apps is not competing on equal terms, regardless of whether it is available for download.

What Exactly Is the Commission Demanding?

Key areas of the draft measures include: enabling AI service activation via custom wake words; ensuring third-party services receive necessary contextual data; allowing integration with device applications for task execution and setting management; allowing control of device settings like adjusting brightness or enabling do not disturb mode. All Android devices, including those from OEMs, should support these functionalities without additional charges.

Google's Position — Privacy and Security

Clare Kelly, Google's senior competition counsel, said: "This unwarranted intervention would strip away user autonomy, mandate access to sensitive hardware and device permissions, unnecessarily driving up costs while undermining critical privacy and security protections for European users."

Timeline and Penalties

Specification proceedings got underway on January 27, 2026, giving the Commission a six-month window to hand down a final, enforceable ruling. Companies found in violation of the DMA can face penalties reaching 10% of their worldwide annual revenue.

A final binding decision will be adopted by July 27, 2026.