UK regulator proposes adding AI assistants to Google choice screens — Cyprus Mail

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed requiring Google to give Android and Chrome users more choice of search services, including the AI assistants ChatGPT and Perplexity. Cyprus Mail reports.

Choice during setup

Under the CMA’s proposal, when first setting up an Android smartphone or opening the Chrome browser, Google would have to display a screen for choosing a search provider. Users would also be offered the option once a year to choose the service that will be used by default.

AI assistants could be added to such choice screens if they meet the regulator’s technical and security requirements. Currently, artificial intelligence-based assistants are not featured on Google’s choice screens.

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Requirements for search services

The proposed rules also require search services to properly identify the sources of publishers’ content. This is intended to allow users to access original sources and understand where the information in search results comes from.

CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said that the ways people search for information online are changing, with more and more people using AI assistants as search services. According to her, the regulator responded to feedback that such services are not included on Google’s choice screens.

Consultation timeline

The consultation on the proposals will run until October 9. The CMA expects to make a final decision by the end of the year. In June, the regulator already required Google to provide greater transparency regarding how search ranking works under new rules aimed at strengthening competition.