The question of which artificial intelligence assistant responds when you speak to your phone may soon shift from a manufacturer’s preset to a deliberate consumer choice. That prospect has escalated into an open regulatory clash. In mid-July, the European Commission handed down a binding decision requiring Google to open Android to third-party AI assistants and to share certain search data with rival services. The response from two of the world’s largest technology companies has been swift, and both are framing their opposition around the same concern: user security.
Industry pushback centers on privacy risks
Google’s chief legal officer, Kent Walker, argued in a company blog post that the Commission’s requirements weaken essential privacy and safety protections for millions of Europeans. He warned that granting third-party applications sensitive device permissions, and transferring search data to unfamiliar companies, could occur without sufficient anonymization. Android chief Sameer Samat reinforced the position on X on Friday, stating that the Commission is on the wrong track and pointing out that users who prefer a different assistant can already change the default in Android’s settings menu.
Apple has taken a more immediate product-level step. The company confirmed that its new Siri AI capabilities will not be available on iPhones or iPads inside the European Union when iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 launch; the features are also absent from the Apple Watch. EU-based customers will only gain access to the technology on Mac and Vision Pro. Software chief Craig Federighi expressed deep disappointment, explaining that under the company’s interpretation of the rules, any assistant would need direct access to private data and control over other applications. According to Apple, the Commission rejected a proposed compromise — a secured interface called Trusted System Agent — and no timeline exists for bringing Siri AI to EU iPhones and iPads.
Commission defends its framework
The European Commission maintains that the search data subject to sharing will be anonymized through a multi-layered process developed in consultation with data protection experts. Officials further note that Google retains the right to screen any potential data recipient for security risks before a transfer takes place. A spokesperson told CNN that companies remain free to construct their own appropriate safeguards. Calli Schroeder, a lawyer at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, advises viewing the firms’ privacy arguments with caution, observing that both only raised vigorous objections once a ruling directly affected their interests.
What changes immediately for users
In the short term, the practical impact on consumers is limited. Android users can already switch their default digital assistant through the settings panel. iPhone owners in the EU, however, are left waiting for Siri AI with no announced release date. Meanwhile, one figure from analyst firm Omdia underscores the commercial stakes: ChatGPT is already installed on roughly 30 percent of smartphones across the European Union.
Sources: digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu, blog.google, www.apple.com, www.cnn.com