<\/p>\n
The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into whether Google is breaching competition rules by using publishers\u2019 and creators\u2019 content to generate AI summaries in search results and on YouTube.<\/p>\n
According to the Commission, the probe will assess \u201cto what extent the generation of AI Overviews and AI Mode by Google is based on web publishers\u2019 content without appropriate compensation for that, and without the possibility for publishers to refuse without losing access to Google Search.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many publishers rely on Google for audiences and fear the consequences of opting out. Regulators are also examining YouTube amid concerns that Google may be training AI on videos \u201cwithout appropriate compensation to creators and without offering them the possibility to refuse such use of their content.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inquiry centres on whether Google is imposing terms that disadvantage publishers and rival AI developers, and whether its strength in search is shaping the emerging AI market. \u201cAI is bringing remarkable innovation and many benefits for people and businesses across Europe, but this progress cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies,\u201d said Teresa Ribera, EU competition chief. \u201cThis is why we are investigating whether Google may have imposed unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators, while placing rival AI models developers at a disadvantage, in breach of EU competition rules.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigation follows complaints from national publisher groups and independent organisations, along with a lawsuit by Penske Media Corporation, owner of Rolling Stone, Variety and other titles, which alleges Google\u2019s AI summaries use its journalism without consent and have reduced site traffic and revenue. Groups across several EU countries, including Italy\u2019s federation of newspaper publishers, argue that AI Overviews and the newer AI Mode act as \u201ctraffic killers\u201d by summarising material users would otherwise click through to read.<\/p>\n
The Commission is using existing competition law rather than the Digital Markets Act. If it finds breaches, Google could face fines of up to 10% of its global turnover and be required to change its practices. Regulators are also reviewing how Google applies its spam policies and AI advertising rules.<\/p>\n
Google pushed back, saying the complaint \u201crisks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever. Europeans deserve to benefit from the latest technologies and we will continue to work closely with the news and creative industries as they transition to the AI era.\u201d The company has previously described legal claims over AI Overviews as without merit.<\/p>\n
Publishers say industry data shows measurable drops in referral traffic and revenues where AI summaries appear, and some report that other AI companies have struck licensing deals while Google has not. The Commission will examine those claims and whether publishers and creators have any real choice to refuse use of their work without losing search visibility.<\/p>\n
The Commission has not set a timetable for the investigation.<\/p>\n