Investigation Centers on AI Model Training and Publisher Compensation
The European Union has initiated a formal antitrust investigation into Google's operations, primarily focusing on concerns regarding its utilization of web publisher content and YouTube videos to train its artificial intelligence models. The EU announced the probe to ascertain whether Google has been using third-party material without providing appropriate compensation, a practice that could contravene the region's competition regulations.
The European Commission has confirmed that it is investigating Google based on allegations of imposing unfair terms on content creators, granting itself preferential access to materials, and consequently placing other AI developers at a competitive disadvantage.
The investigation will specifically examine Google's AI Overviews, AI Mode, and generative AI services that are integrated into its search results.
Potential Fines and Previous Regulatory Actions
If found liable, Google could face fines amounting to up to 10% of its global revenue. The EU's concern stems from the possibility that Google has been using publisher content and YouTube uploads without offering fair compensation or establishing a mechanism for publishers to opt out of such usage. The probe will also investigate whether Google's AI-generated summaries, which appear above traditional search results, have contributed to a decline in traffic for online news sites, thereby potentially distorting the market.
“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, Google's parent company, now faces potential fines of up to 10% of its global revenue should EU regulators determine that Google has violated antitrust rules. This latest investigation into Google follows recent complaints lodged by independent publishers who alleged that the search engine giant was using online creators' content without their consent or payment.
In related regulatory actions, the EU recently fined Elon Musk's X platform $140 million for transparency violations concerning advertising and the use of the blue checkmark design. This fine drew criticism across the industry, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that Europe was heading in the wrong direction following the penalty, describing it as "nasty" and expressing disapproval of the EU's regulatory approach.
Furthermore, the EU has also launched a probe into Meta concerning its WhatsApp policies, which reportedly limit access for AI providers. According to a Reuters report, the European Commission stated that it would investigate Meta's new policy, which restricts AI providers' access to WhatsApp, with the aim of bolstering its own AI system integrated into the platform earlier this year.
Teresa Ribera indicated that this crackdown is intended to prevent large companies from exploiting their power to exclude innovative competitors. She also noted that interim measures might be imposed to halt the rollout of Meta's new WhatsApp AI policy.
Impact of Google Overviews on Competitor Sites
Google Overviews and AI Mode services are currently deployed in over 100 countries, providing users with AI-generated summaries of web content. The search engine giant began integrating advertisements into AI Overviews in May 2025, which generates additional revenue for the company.
Independent publishers and other critics contend that these services, while offering value to users, may unfairly exploit publisher content and hinder the market entry of competitors' AI innovations.
European Commission regulators will determine whether the search engine giant has contravened antitrust rules and abused its dominant market position. The regulators will also assess whether publishers are unable to opt out or receive fair compensation for content used in the training of AI models.
According to a Cryptopolitan report, the search engine giant was recently fined $3.4 billion in September concerning its dominance in online advertising. To date, Google has proposed technical resolutions to address the penalty but has rejected the EU's calls for a corporate restructuring.
The EU views this probe as a demonstration of its commitment to ensuring fair compensation and protecting online content creators within the evolving AI market. If regulators find Google liable, the company may face operational restrictions and be required to modify how its AI services access and utilize third-party content.