Google Faces EU Probe Over AI Content Use and Competition Issues

The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into Google regarding its use of publishers’ and YouTube creators’ material to train and power its artificial intelligence services. The investigation will assess whether Google imposed unfair terms, granted itself privileged access to online content, or hindered competitors within the artificial intelligence development sector.

Central to this inquiry is Google’s approach to acquiring web sources for its AI overviews and AI model functionalities, often without compensating original content creators or providing a viable opt-out that would not threaten online traffic for publishers. The scope of the investigation includes Google’s alleged use of YouTube uploaded content for training AI models, while barring rival developers from obtaining comparable data. These practices, if validated, could be classified as an abuse of market dominance under existing European Union competition law.

The examination follows mounting concerns from news publishers and the creative industries who warn that the sweeping appropriation of publicly accessible material for artificial intelligence development is occurring without due recognition or remuneration. Regulators will consider whether Google’s methods have restricted competition by making it difficult for emerging companies and rival developers to access data necessary for AI innovation.

Google has responded to the announcement by cautioning that such a complaint may hamper ongoing innovation in a marketplace marked by intensive competition. A company spokesperson stated Google remains committed to collaboration with news and creative sectors as the industry adapts to the evolving artificial intelligence landscape.

If the Commission confirms anticompetitive actions, significant regulatory measures or financial penalties may be imposed on Google. The outcome will likely set precedent for how technology firms use third party content to train artificial intelligence models and could influence broader industry standards across the European Union and beyond.