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EU Commission reviews Android DMA rules on interoperability

The European Commission is consulting third parties on proposed measures requiring Alphabet to ensure effective interoperability between Google Android and AI services under the Digital Markets Act.

The draft measures focus on AI services’ access to key Android capabilities, including wake-word activation, contextual data, integration with applications, and access to hardware and software resources needed for reliable and responsive services.

The Commission opened proceedings in January 2026 to specify how Alphabet should comply with DMA interoperability obligations for features relevant to AI services. Its proposed measures cover invocation, context, actions on apps and the operating system, access to resources, and general requirements such as free access, documented frameworks and APIs, technical assistance and reporting.

Stakeholders were asked to comment on the effectiveness, completeness, feasibility and implementation timelines of the proposed measures, particularly from the perspective of AI service providers and Android device manufacturers.

Input from Alphabet and interested third parties may lead to adjustments before the Commission adopts a final decision-making the measures legally binding. The Commission is expected to adopt that decision by 27 July 2026.

Why does it matter?

The case shows how the DMA is being applied to the emerging competitive landscape for AI assistants and mobile operating systems. If third-party AI services need access to Android features such as wake words, contextual data, app actions and on-device resources to compete effectively, interoperability rules could shape which AI tools reach users and how much control gatekeepers retain over mobile AI ecosystems.

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European Ombudsman criticises Commission over X risk report access

The European Ombudswoman has criticised the European Commission’s handling of a request for public access to a risk assessment report submitted by social media platform X under the Digital Services Act.

The case concerned a journalist’s request to access X’s 2023 risk assessment report, which large online platforms must provide under the DSA. The Commission refused to assess the report for possible disclosure, arguing that access could undermine X’s commercial interests, an ongoing DSA investigation and an independent audit.

The Ombudswoman found it unreasonable for the Commission to rely on a general presumption of non-disclosure rather than individually assessing the report. She said the circumstances in which the EU courts have allowed such presumptions differ from the rules applying to DSA risk assessment reports.

Although X has since made the report public with redactions, the Ombudswoman recommended that the Commission conduct its own assessment and aim to give the journalist the widest access possible, including potentially to parts redacted by the company. If access is refused for any sections, the Commission must explain why.

The finding of maladministration highlights the importance of transparency in the oversight of very large online platforms under the DSA, particularly where documents are relevant to public scrutiny of platform risk management and regulatory enforcement.

Why does it matter?

The case tests how far transparency obligations around very large online platforms can be limited by broad claims of commercial sensitivity or ongoing investigations. DSA risk assessment reports are central to understanding how platforms identify and manage systemic risks, so access decisions affect public oversight of the EU digital regulation as much as the rights of individual requesters.

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Stablecoin rules updated in revised US Senate proposal

The US Senate Banking Committee has released a revised 309-page draft of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act ahead of a markup vote, reopening debate on stablecoin rewards, DeFi protections and the regulation of digital asset markets.

The draft, proposed by Committee Chair Tim Scott, seeks to provide a federal framework for digital asset market structure, including provisions on securities innovation, illicit finance, decentralised finance, banking innovation, regulatory sandboxes, software developers and customer protection.

A key section addresses stablecoin rewards. The draft would prohibit digital asset service providers from paying interest or yield on payment stablecoin balances in a way that is economically or functionally equivalent to bank deposit interest. However, it would permit certain activity-based or transaction-based rewards and incentives, provided they are not equivalent to interest or yield on a bank deposit.

The text also includes provisions affecting decentralised finance. It covers rules on non-decentralised finance trading protocols, illicit finance obligations for distributed ledger messaging systems, temporary holds for certain digital asset transactions, voluntary cybersecurity programmes for DeFi trading protocols and studies on digital asset mixers, foreign intermediaries and financial stability risks.

Software developer protections are also included in the draft. The bill contains a dedicated title on protecting software developers and software innovation, including provisions on non-fungible tokens, self-custody and blockchain regulatory certainty.

The draft still faces further negotiation before any final vote. Lawmakers continue to debate the balance between consumer protection, illicit finance controls, innovation, stablecoin incentives and the treatment of decentralised finance. At the same time, the legislation needs to be aligned with other Senate work on digital asset market structure.

Why does it matter?

The revised Clarity Act is another step towards a federal framework for digital asset markets in the United States, with rules that could shape how crypto firms, stablecoin platforms and decentralised finance projects operate. Its provisions on stablecoin rewards, DeFi and software developers show lawmakers trying to balance innovation, consumer protection and oversight in one of the world’s most important financial markets.

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Europe pushes for unified capital markets and stronger banking union

European Central Bank Vice-President Luis de Guindos has called for deeper financial integration in Europe, arguing that more unified capital markets and a stronger banking union are needed to support growth, resilience and competitiveness.

Speaking at a joint European Commission and ECB conference on financial integration, de Guindos said Europe has made progress in integrating financial markets, including through stronger cross-border capital flows and reduced differences in some asset prices across member states. However, he warned that fragmentation persists in areas such as corporate lending, equity markets and foreign direct investment.

Cross-border corporate lending within the euro area accounts for only 14% of total corporate lending, while equity market integration has shown signs of decline since 2022, and foreign direct investment within the euro area has fallen to a historical low, according to the speech.

De Guindos said policy priorities should include a genuine single rulebook for capital markets, a more European supervisory framework and support for a tokenised financial ecosystem through the distributed ledger technology pilot regime. He argued that these measures would reduce legal uncertainty, support digital financial innovation and help remove barriers to cross-border capital market integration.

He also called for further banking union reforms, including treating the banking union as a single European jurisdiction, finalising a European deposit insurance scheme and allowing capital and liquidity to move more freely within cross-border banking groups. Such steps, he said, would help reduce fragmentation and strengthen the euro area’s financial system.

The speech also pointed to the need for a more coherent regulatory framework, including simpler and more harmonised rules for banks, closer attention to regulatory gaps between banks and non-bank financial institutions, and the removal of legal and tax barriers that still limit cross-border activity.

Why does it matter?

Financial fragmentation affects how efficiently Europe can channel savings into investment, support innovation and absorb economic shocks. Deeper capital markets make it easier for businesses to access funding across borders, while a stronger banking union could reduce national barriers and improve resilience during periods of stress.

The speech also connects financial integration with digital finance and strategic autonomy. By linking capital market reform with tokenisation, EU-level supervision and banking union, the ECB is framing financial integration as part of Europe’s broader effort to remain competitive in a more fragmented global economy.

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Apple may be preparing a major Siri AI shake-up in iOS 27

Apple is reportedly preparing a major expansion of Apple Intelligence that could allow users to choose which AI model powers Siri and other system features. According to recent reports, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 may introduce a new ‘Extensions’ framework designed to integrate third-party AI systems directly into Apple’s software ecosystem.

The reported feature would allow applications such as Gemini and Claude to connect with Siri through their App Store apps. Users may be able to select different AI providers for different tasks, while Apple is also said to be testing separate Siri voices for responses generated by external models rather than Apple’s own systems.

The move would expand Apple’s broader AI partnership strategy rather than replace existing integrations. ChatGPT already supports selected Apple Intelligence functions, and earlier reporting suggested Google Gemini could eventually power parts of Siri itself. The new framework appears aimed at turning Apple devices into a wider AI platform that supports multiple large language models rather than a single assistant stack.

Apple is expected to present further details during its Worldwide Developers Conference on 8 June 2026. If the reported changes materialise, they could significantly reshape how users interact with AI assistants by giving them more control over which models handle tasks such as search, writing, and image generation.

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European Commission publishes first Digital Markets Act review

The European Commission has published its first formal review of the Digital Markets Act, assessing how the regulation is affecting the behaviour of large online platforms in the EU digital economy. According to the review, the law has produced visible changes in some areas, while also exposing continuing problems in implementation and enforcement.

The review points to changes in user choice since the DMA entered into force in March 2024. These include support for third-party app stores and prompts on devices to select browsers or search engines, alongside reported increases in usage and downloads of alternative services.

Enforcement action is also a central part of the assessment. In April 2025, Apple was fined €500 million for blocking developers from directing users to cheaper purchasing options, while Meta was fined €200 million over its ‘consent or pay’ model. Both companies are appealing the decisions.

At the same time, the review identifies clear implementation challenges. It says investigations are taking around twice as long as the 12-month target, while legal procedures are being used to slow compliance. It also raises broader questions about whether fast-growing areas such as AI tools and cloud platforms should eventually be brought within the scope of the regulation.

The Digital Markets Act is therefore presented less as a completed intervention than as an ongoing regulatory process. The review suggests that its long-term impact will depend not only on the rules already in force, but also on how consistently they are enforced and how the EU responds to changes in digital markets.

Why does it matter?

The review matters because it shows that the real test of the Digital Markets Act is no longer whether the EU can write rules for large platforms, but whether it can enforce them quickly and adapt them to new market realities. Early changes in user choice suggest the law is starting to affect platform behaviour. However, delays in investigations and questions around AI and cloud services show that the regulatory contest is still evolving.

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European Parliament set to push for faster Digital Markets Act compliance proceedings

Ahead of the review of the Digital Markets Act, the European Parliament is set to call for faster compliance proceedings and closer scrutiny of AI-driven search tools and cloud services.

In a draft resolution, MEPs are expected to urge the Commission to enforce the Digital Markets Act quickly and consistently, while adapting to technological change without reopening the law’s core objectives.

The text highlights the growing strategic importance of cloud computing services and the rising use of AI-driven search tools, arguing that both require closer scrutiny under the Digital Markets Act framework.

MEPs also warn against external political pressure aimed at weakening the law. They are expected to call on the Commission to make full use of its enforcement tools, including periodic penalty payments, to stop companies from bypassing it, regardless of where they are based.

The Digital M a rkets Act sets obligations for the largest digital companies providing key platform services in the EU, with the aim of supporting fair competition in digital markets. The draft resolution comes after the Commission’s first non-compliance decisions and fines under the law, including action against Meta over its ‘pay or consent’ advertising model and against Apple over anti-steering obligations.

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European Commission review finds Digital Markets Act strengthening competition and user choice

The European Commission has concluded that the Digital Markets Act remains effective in shaping fairer and more competitive digital markets across Europe. Its first formal review highlights measurable progress in empowering users and opening digital ecosystems to greater competition.

DMA has strengthened user choice by enabling data portability, alternative browser and search engine selection, and clearer consent over how personal data is used. At the same time, it has facilitated increased interoperability, allowing new entrants such as alternative app stores and messaging services to emerge.

The review also notes that businesses are benefiting from improved access to previously restricted ecosystems, particularly in areas such as connected devices and platform integration. These changes are contributing to a more dynamic and innovative digital environment.

Looking ahead, the Commission identifies AI and cloud computing as key areas for further regulatory focus. Continued enforcement, improved transparency and adaptation to emerging technological trends will be essential to fully realise the DMA’s objectives.

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EU pushes Android changes to open AI competition

The European Commission has outlined draft measures requiring Google to improve interoperability on Android as part of ongoing proceedings under the Digital Markets Act. Regulators are focusing on how third-party AI services can interact with hardware and software features controlled by the Android operating system.

The proposed measures are intended to give competing AI services access to key Android features already used by Google’s own AI services, including Gemini. In practice, that could allow rival services to support actions such as sending messages, sharing content, or completing tasks through user-preferred applications rather than being limited by Google’s default ecosystem.

The Commission’s approach could also make it easier for users to activate alternative AI assistants through customised interactions and device-level features, reducing dependence on default system tools. The broader aim is to give third-party providers a more equal opportunity to innovate and compete in the fast-moving market for AI services on mobile devices.

Feedback on the proposed measures is being gathered as part of the Commission’s specification proceedings under the DMA. The consultation forms part of a wider regulatory effort to enforce fair access to core platform features and strengthen digital competition across European markets, including in the AI sector.

Why does it matter?

The move targets one of the most important control points in the digital economy: the operating system layer. Opening Android features to competing AI services could reduce the structural advantage held by Google and shift power towards a more competitive, multi-provider mobile ecosystem. This is an inference based on the Commission’s stated objective of giving third-party AI services access equivalent to that available to Google’s own AI tools.

Greater interoperability under the Digital Markets Act could reshape how AI reaches users, turning smartphones into more open platforms rather than tightly controlled default environments. At the same time, the case also shows how strongly the EU is trying to apply competition law to the next phase of AI distribution, not only to search, app stores, and browsers.

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New Chinese rules restrict digital promotion of financial products

China has introduced new online marketing rules for financial products, further tightening its long-standing restrictions on cryptocurrency-related activity. The new framework limits the promotion of financial products to licensed entities and treats digital currency trading and issuance as illegal financial activity.

Issued by the People’s Bank of China and seven other regulators, the Administrative Measures for Online Marketing of Financial Products will take effect on 30 September 2026. The rules extend responsibility to platforms, intermediaries, and content creators who promote or facilitate financial products online.

Any assistance in promoting or facilitating prohibited financial activity may now be treated as participation in illegal finance, expanding enforcement beyond direct trading bans. In practice, that broadens the focus from financial products themselves to the wider digital promotion layer, including online displays, traffic generation, and other forms of internet-based marketing support.

Authorities say the measures are intended to protect consumers by limiting misleading or aggressive online promotion, including livestream marketing and viral investment content. In that sense, the rules are not only about crypto, but about tighter control over how financial products are marketed in digital environments.

The policy also reinforces China’s existing position, dating back to 2021, when regulators declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal, while pushing enforcement deeper into the digital advertising and distribution layers of financial markets.

Why does it matter?

Stronger oversight of online financial promotion shows that crypto-related advertising is increasingly being treated as a regulatory risk category, not just a marketing issue. The Chinese move also points to a broader trend in which regulators are extending scrutiny beyond financial products themselves to the digital channels, influencers, and platforms that help distribute them.

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