Google has appealed a European Union decision that requires the technology giant to share search data with rival search engines and make changes to its Android operating system to allow competing artificial intelligence services to gain greater access.
The appeal comes after the European Commission issued the order in July under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a major law designed to increase competition among the world’s largest technology companies and give consumers more choices.
Google said it was challenging the decision mainly because of concerns over users’ privacy and the security of its Android system.
Oliver Bethell, Google’s senior director for competition, said the company was appealing measures that could require it to share people’s private search histories without sufficient anonymization.
The European Commission had directed Google to begin sharing search data with other search engines from January 2027. Brussels said the move was intended to help create a more level playing field and give rival services a better opportunity to compete with Google Search.
The EU also ordered changes to Android, which is expected to take effect in July next year. The Commission said the changes could encourage the development of alternative artificial intelligence services that could compete with Google’s AI products, including Gemini.
However, Google rejected the suggestion that Android is closed to competitors. The company said the operating system is already designed to be open and interoperable, allowing different services and technologies to work with it.
Google also argued that the EU’s search data requirement could force it to provide other companies with personal information without enough protection, clear user knowledge or consent.
Bethell warned that search histories can reveal highly sensitive details about people’s lives. Users may turn to Google Search for answers about medical concerns, relationships and other deeply personal matters.
He said people use Search for their most personal questions, arguing that forcing Google to share such queries without adequate safeguards could cause lasting damage to user privacy.
The dispute now moves to the European Union’s judicial system. Google filed its appeal with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), based in Luxembourg.