The European Commission has escalated its regulatory pressure on Apple and Google, demanding that the two technology giants open their platforms to third-party virtual assistants.
The bloc argues that the companies' dominance over billions of smartphones worldwide gives them an insurmountable advantage in the race for artificial intelligence, a position that requires dismantling their closed ecosystems to ensure fair competition.
Apple and Google have pushed back against the demands, warning that forcing their operating systems to grant direct access to user data for external AI services would create significant privacy vulnerabilities.
The companies contend that the EU's requirements would compromise the security architecture of their devices, potentially exposing sensitive personal information to unauthorized third parties.
This development marks a significant shift in the EU's approach to tech regulation, moving beyond traditional antitrust fines to mandate structural changes in how major platforms handle data and AI integration.
The commission's stance suggests that Brussels views the current market structure as inherently anti-competitive, regardless of the security arguments presented by the tech firms.