Google is facing a formal antitrust investigation by the European Commission, which is examining whether the company has used content from web publishers and YouTube creators to train or operate its AI products without adequate compensation. Regulators are assessing whether this practice gives Google an unfair advantage over competing AI developers by leveraging third-party content at scale.
The probe centers on Google’s AI-powered services, including AI Overviews, which places AI-generated summaries above traditional search results, and AI Mode, a chatbot-style search feature. The Commission is investigating whether Google imposes restrictive terms that limit publishers’ and creators’ ability to opt out of AI use of their content while still maintaining visibility on Google Search or access to YouTube, raising concerns about coercive conditions tied to market access.
If the practices are proven, they may violate EU competition rules under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 54 of the European Economic Area Agreement, which prohibit abuse of a dominant position. The Commission will prioritize an in-depth investigation, but clarified that the opening of proceedings “does not prejudge its outcome.” Article 11(6) of Regulation 1/2003 ensures that EU member state authorities must avoid conflicting actions. Google and national competition authorities have been formally notified, and the investigation’s duration will depend on case complexity and company cooperation, with no fixed deadline for completion.
