2025-12-09 12:55:19

Google is under fresh European Union antitrust scrutiny over how it uses online content to power AI-generated summaries in Google Search.

The European Commission on Tuesday (09.12.25) opened a formal investigation into whether Google has breached competition rules by pulling material from news publishers, websites and YouTube creators to generate AI Overviews and responses in AI Mode without offering fair compensation or meaningful opt-out mechanisms.

Regulators say they will assess whether these practices grant Google an “unlawful advantage” in training its models and hinder rivals developing competing AI systems.

The probe reflects mounting concern across Europe that Google’s AI summaries – which often appear above traditional blue links – could divert traffic away from publishers.

Some outlets claim clicks have already dropped sharply since AI Overviews launched, raising fears about the long-term viability of ad-supported journalism.

Creators have raised similar objections, arguing that YouTube uploads are effectively being used to train Google’s models in ways that are impossible to refuse without abandoning the platform entirely.

Competition commissioner Teresa Ribera said the EU supports AI innovation but warned that it “cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies,” including media diversity and fair access to data.

Investigators will also examine whether Google is imposing unfair terms on content creators, or leveraging privileged access to data to disadvantage other AI developers.

Google said the probe “risks stifling innovation” in an increasingly competitive market and stressed that Europeans “deserve to benefit from the latest technologies”.

The new investigation lands as the bloc accelerates enforcement against U.S. tech giants.

It follows last week’s antitrust probe into Meta’s WhatsApp data-sharing policy and a €120 million fine issued to Elon Musk’s X, as well as a separate €3 billion penalty against Google in September over ad-tech conduct.

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