Alphabet’s Google is under investigation by the European Commission over its use of online publishers’ content and YouTube videos to train its artificial intelligence models, raising fresh concerns about Big Tech’s dominance in emerging technologies.
The probe is the second EU investigation into Google in less than a month, highlighting growing unease that major tech companies could leverage AI to edge out competitors. EU officials are particularly focused on Google’s AI-generated summaries, known as AI Overviews, which appear above traditional search results. The Commission is investigating whether Google uses publishers’ content for these services without proper compensation and without allowing them the option to refuse. Similar concerns have been raised regarding the use of user-uploaded YouTube videos.
“Google may be abusing its dominant position as a search engine to impose unfair trading conditions on publishers by using their online content to provide its own AI-powered services,” EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said. “A healthy information ecosystem depends on publishers having the resources to produce quality content. We will not allow gatekeepers to dictate those choices,” she added.
The investigation stems from a complaint filed by independent publishers in July, which Google rejected. A company spokesperson defended its practices, saying the complaint “risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever.” Google also stated it aims to work closely with news and creative industries as they adapt to the AI era.
Publisher groups and digital advocacy organisations have criticised Google’s practices. The Independent Publishers Alliance, the Movement for an Open Web, and UK-based non-profit Foxglove argued that Google has exploited content that was previously shared under the premise of fair indexing and retrieval. “Google has broken the bargain that underpins the internet,” said Tim Cowen, a lawyer representing the groups. He added that AI Overviews, which Google began monetising last May, effectively prioritise the company’s AI model, Gemini, over traditional search results.
AI Overviews are shown in over 100 countries and are intended to provide summaries above standard hyperlinks to webpages. The European Commission is also reviewing Google’s spam policies following a separate publisher-led complaint. If found to be in breach of EU antitrust rules, Google could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
The move comes as the European Commission ramps up scrutiny of tech platforms using AI. Last week, it opened an investigation into Meta over plans to block AI rivals from its WhatsApp messaging system. Observers say these actions signal a broader EU effort to regulate emerging AI technologies and prevent dominant tech companies from gaining disproportionate market power.
The investigation also risks adding strain to transatlantic relations, as Washington has often opposed EU rules perceived as targeting U.S.-based tech firms. With AI’s rapid expansion in search and messaging services, regulatory tensions are likely to remain high.
