The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Google’s use of online content — including webpages and videos — for training its AI models and powering AI-driven search services. Regulators are concerned that Google may be exploiting content from publishers and creators without proper compensation or the option for them to refuse.
The investigation focuses on features like “AI Overviews” and “AI Mode” in Google’s search results, which use generative AI to summarize content from third-party websites. The Commission is examining whether Google’s dominant market position gives it privileged access to content, potentially disadvantaging rival AI developers who do not have similar access.
Regulators are also looking into Google’s use of content from its video-sharing platform to train AI models, raising questions about fairness and whether such practices undermine competition and media diversity. Content creators may have limited ability to control how their material is used, prompting broader scrutiny of AI training practices.
Google has argued that restricting these practices could hamper innovation, claiming that using online content improves user experience. The Commission maintains that AI progress should not come at the expense of fairness for publishers, content creators, or competitive markets.
