Google updates user choices for Android in Europe

Google has announced plans to ensure compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) by March 6, making its products and services legal under the new standards.

According to a blog post, one significant change for European Android phone users will be the appearance of two new option windows when they first set up their devices. One allows users to rapidly set up their chosen search engine on their phone. Google will soon add a similar panel to its Chrome browser app's desktop and iOS versions. Google invites search engines to apply for inclusion on the new Android search option screen.

The alternative option screen for Android phones in Europe will allow users to choose their default web browser. Google is accepting submissions for web browsers to be included to the choice screen on their website.

In 2009, the EU mandated a "Browser Ballot Screen" in Windows 7, which is nearly comparable to the current requirement. Microsoft removed that screen in 2014.

In addition, Google Search in Europe will undergo various adjustments, particularly while shopping for items or looking for a hotel. The business stated:

We will introduce dedicated units that include a group of links to comparison sites from across the web, and query shortcuts at the top of the search page to help people refine their search, including by focusing results just on comparison sites. For categories like hotels, we will also start testing a dedicated space for comparison sites and direct suppliers to show more detailed individual results including images, star ratings and more.

According to the firm, several Search functionality, like Google Flights, would be deleted in Europe to comply with the DMA. Google will also offer users in Europe a new "consent banner to ask them whether some services can continue to share data for those purposes."

Microsoft has previously announced improvements to Windows to comply with EU DMA regulations. They include the ability to install all programs on the OS, as well as asking European customers if they want to sync their Microsoft Account with Windows so that their data may be accessed on other devices using the same account.