Google faces UK push to put AI assistants on Android, Chrome choice screens

The UK's competition watchdog has proposed new rules to give Google Android and Chrome users more choice and control over the search services they use, including AI assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Under the tougher regulations, Google would be required to display users a selection of search providers when they initially set up an Android phone or open Chrome.

Users would also be prompted once a year to choose a default search provider. Additionally, AI assistants that meet Google's technical and security standards would be allowed to appear on these screens.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), emphasized the changing landscape of online search. She noted the growing use of AI assistants as primary search services, highlighting the lack of inclusion on Google's choice screens as a reason for the proposed changes. The CMA is currently accepting public consultation on the proposals until October 9 and aims to make a final decision by the end of the year.

The Competition and Markets Authority previously ordered Google to provide more transparency on its search ranking algorithms in June as part of new rules aimed at promoting competition in the digital marketplace.