European Commission investigates Google over web and YouTube content use for AI

The European Union has launched a formal antitrust investigation into Google’s operations, primarily over concerns regarding its use of web publisher content and YouTube videos to train its AI models. The EU announced the probe today to determine whether Google used third-party material without proper compensation, which is in breach of the region’s competition rules. 

The European Commission confirmed that it is investigating Google over allegations of unfair terms imposed on content creators, granting itself privileged access to material and placing other AI developers at a disadvantage.

The probe will focus on Google’s AI Overviews, AI Mode, and generative AI services integrated into search results.

Google faces up to 10% of its global revenue in fines if found liable

The EU is concerned that Google may have used publisher content and YouTube uploads without offering fair compensation or providing a mechanism for publishers to opt out of its use. The probe will also examine whether Google’s AI-generated summaries, which appear above traditional search results, may have contributed to traffic declines on online news sites, raising concerns about market distortion. 

“AI 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. We are investigating whether Google may have imposed unfair conditions on publishers and content creators, while disadvantaging competing AI developers.”

-Teresa Ribera, EU Antitrust Chief 

Alphabet now faces potential fines of up to 10% of its global revenue if the EU regulators find that Google breached antitrust rules. The latest investigation into Google follows recent complaints filed by independent publishers who alleged that the search engine giant was using online creators’ content without consent or payment.  

The EU has also recently fined Elon Musk’s X platform $140 million for transparency violations related to advertising and the use of the blue checkmark design. The fine attracted criticism across the industry, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that Europe is going in the wrong direction following the fine. The president described the penalty as “nasty”, showing disapproval of the EU’s regulatory approach. 

Meanwhile, the EU has also launched a probe into Meta over its WhatsApp policies that limit AI provider access. According to a Reuters report, the European Commission stated that it will investigate Meta’s new policy, which would limit AI providers’ access to WhatsApp, in order to boost its own AI system that was integrated into the platform earlier this year.

According to Teresa Ribera, the crackdown aims to prevent large firms from abusing their power to cut out innovative competitors, adding that interim measures may be imposed to block Meta’s new WhatsApp AI policy rollout.

Google Overviews linked to traffic declines on competitor sites

Google Overviews and AI Mode services are currently deployed in more than 100 countries, providing users with AI-generated summaries of web content. The search engine giant began integrating ads in AI Overviews in May 2025, which generates additional revenue for the firm.

Independent publishers and other critics argue that such services, despite offering value to users, may unfairly exploit publisher content and prevent competitors’ AI innovations from reaching the market.   

The European Commission regulators will determine whether the search engine giant violated antitrust rules and abused its dominant position. The regulators will also determine if publishers cannot opt out or receive fair compensation for content used to train AI models.

According to a Cryptopolitan report, the search engine giant was recently fined $3.4 billion in September relating to its dominance in online advertising. So far, Google has proposed technical resolutions to address the penalty but has declined calls from the EU to restructure the company. 

According to the EU, the probe marks a reflection of its commitment to ensuring fair compensation and protecting online content creators in the evolving AI market.  If the regulators find Google liable, the firm may face operational restrictions and be required to adjust how its AI services access and use third-party content. 

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