Google Appeals EU Orders to Share Search Data, Open Android to Rival AI

Google (GOOGL) filed appeals on Sept. 29, 2026 with the EU General Court challenging two binding Digital Markets Act orders issued by the European Commission in July 2026. One order compels Google to hand search data to competing search engines by January 2027; the other requires it to open Android to rival AI services by July 2027. Google said the search data requirement would expose sensitive user queries, including medical and personal matters, without sufficient anonymization or consent. On Android, it argued that extending elevated permissions to apps outside its vetting process threatens device integrity. Oliver Bethell, Google's senior director for competition, said the company contested both orders. The Commission said rival AI assistants would gain features now exclusive to Google's Gemini, and vowed to defend its rulings. The appeals follow €890 million in DMA fines against Google in July 2026. Non-compliance carries penalties of up to 10% of annual global revenue, rising to 20% for repeat offenders.