The European Commission has officially launched an investigation into how Google uses content from web publishers and YouTube videos for its AI services, such as ‘AI Overviews’ and ‘AI Mode’. These features generate summaries based on online information.
According to Brussels, publishers are not fairly compensated and can barely object without losing visibility in Google Search. The tech giant may be violating EU competition rules.
Abuse of Power #
The Commission argues that Google could disrupt competition by giving itself preferential access to vast amounts of online content. This information is used to power AI features on the search results page, such as AI-driven summaries. Publishers report that these features lead to less traffic to their websites, while Google profits from their journalistic work.
The Commission wants to determine whether Google is breaching EU competition rules. Publishers face a tough choice: allow Google to use their articles for AI summaries without payment, or risk lower rankings in search results.
For YouTube content creators, such as those covering bitcoin and its price movements, a similar situation applies. Once they upload videos, Google automatically gains the right to use that footage for AI training, while competing AI companies are not allowed to do so.
Slowing Innovation #
Google responded that the investigation could slow innovation and emphasized that competition in the AI market is greater than ever. The company stated it will continue to work with publishers, creators, and regulators to roll out AI products responsibly.
The European Publishers Council called the EU’s move necessary and timely. The organization has long warned that Google’s AI features heavily rely on professionally produced journalistic content without fair agreements on compensation or usage terms. Publishers stress they are not against innovation but want their work not to be reused without permission.
If Google is forced to compensate publishers, it could change the landscape for AI models. Other developers might then need access to the same data or make similar agreements.
Broader Signal #
The investigation is part of a series of measures against major tech companies. In September, Google was fined €2.95 billion for giving its own ad technology priority over competitors. Brussels then required the company to stop preferential treatment and make its ad chain fairer.
Meta is also under investigation for allowing its own AI chatbot on WhatsApp while denying rivals access to the same platform. Earlier research showed Meta earned billions from misleading ads.