EU orders Google to grant wider Android access to AI rivals

The European Union has today ordered Google to grant rival artificial intelligence services wider access to its Android operating system. Android is an open-source platform that powers billions of devices worldwide.

The decision, handed down by the European Commission on Thursday as part of two other rulings, marks a shift from Google's previous stance. The company had spent years resisting such expanded access for its competitors.

While the ruling may appear to be a setback for Google on paper, it is viewed as a regulatory win. There are indications that Google may have outmaneuvered competitors like Apple by navigating the EU's regulatory landscape more shrewdly.

The Commission, which serves as the EU's executive arm and is responsible for enforcing competition rules, expects Google to comply with this directive.