Google's User-Facing Changes in EU (Android, Search & More) - New Rules!
0Get the lowdown on Google's response to Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which kicked in on March 6. This policy targets major tech players as "gatekeepers" and holds them accountable for their services. Everything from app sideloading on iPhones to messaging service interoperability falls under the DMA's scope.
Google recently dropped a detailed blog post outlining how it plans to revamp Android, Search, and other services to comply with the DMA. Here's what you need to know:
New choice screens will pop up for EU users when setting up default browsers and search engines on new Android devices. Users must select a search provider from the choice screen during setup, with the chosen provider becoming the default in Chrome and installing its search app on the phone.
Users can also choose a default browser, installing the selected browser's app and setting it for opening links from apps.
Search results for EU users will undergo changes, with features like Google Flights being replaced by newer experiences. Visual and entity-focused results will dominate queries like "hotels near me."
Additionally, Google is giving EU residents the option to control data sharing across its services, allowing them to opt out of sharing data across various platforms.
What's your take on the DMA and the changes it's driving in the tech landscape? Should similar choices be offered in the US, or are you content with the current system? Cast your vote and share your thoughts in the comments section below.