EU Orders Google to Open Android Mic, Camera & Screen APIs

The European Commission on Thursday issued a binding order directing Google to provide third‑party artificial‑intelligence assistants—such as Alexa, Siri or Cortana—with the same hardware access that its Gemini service currently enjoys. Under the mandate, competing assistants must gain permission to use the microphone, camera, whatever appears on the screen, detect wake words even when the display is off, and drive other apps in the background by simulating taps and typing. Google has to ship this capability in the next major release, Android 18, and by 1 August 2027 ¹.

This directive directly addresses the “gatekeeper” problem in digital markets. By requiring equal API reach for competitors, regulators aim to prevent bundling practices that can stifle innovation from smaller players—a similar case led Apple to open its iMessage platform more broadly last year after complaints of anti‑competitive behavior were filed under Article 18(2) TFEU.

From a technical standpoint, simply granting permissions is insufficient. Device manufacturers customize Android extensively; how mic, camera and screen APIs are implemented varies widely across models. Ensuring consistent performance over time poses a significant challenge, and legal disputes may arise around feature parity rather than outright functionality equivalence.

Beyond regulatory compliance, this move carries substantial privacy implications. Gemini already leverages these sensors even when not actively used—such as detecting wake words while the display remains off—so opening up such capabilities will grant rival assistants similar background data collection powers. With Android accounting for roughly 71% of global smartphone shipments as of Q4 2025, the mandate will significantly influence market dynamics and user experience.

Security experts note that maintaining device safety while allowing background processes from untrusted apps will become increasingly critical. Future releases are expected to emphasize sandboxing techniques to mitigate potential abuse of newly granted API access.

Users can anticipate next‑generation AI assistants will be able to listen, see and interact with other applications without explicit foreground activation. While this enhances convenience, it also raises questions about how long‑running background sessions might affect battery life, data usage and inadvertent information leakage. The European Commission’s order signals a growing trend toward greater transparency and parity among competing platforms, but its success hinges on robust implementation across diverse Android devices and vigilant enforcement of security safeguards.