The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Alphabet-owned Google to determine whether the company has breached EU competition rules by using online publisher content and YouTube videos to develop and power its generative artificial intelligence services. According to the original report, regulators will examine whether Google gives itself privileged access to such content or imposes unfair terms on publishers and creators, placing rival AI developers at a disadvantage. [1][3]

Brussels said the probe will notably assess whether Google’s use of web publisher material to generate AI-powered features in search , including AI Overviews and related products , was done without appropriate compensation or an option for publishers to refuse such use. Industry complaints allege this may distort competition by starving independent news organisations and content creators of fair returns. [1][2][3]

The Commission also flagged concerns about Google’s use of YouTube content to train its generative models, noting creators who upload to YouTube must grant Google broad permissions and are not paid specifically for such use. Regulators want to establish whether creators were denied the possibility to refuse or secure compensation, while rival developers face restrictions under YouTube’s policies that bar them from using that same content. [1][3]

Google has defended its practices, warning regulators that the complaint could hinder innovation and reiterating its willingness to engage with news and creative industries during the AI transition. Alphabet’s chief executive has also publicly cautioned users that AI tools are “prone to errors” and should be used alongside other sources , framing the company’s approach as pragmatic while the probe proceeds. [3][1]

If the Commission finds anticompetitive conduct, the case could lead to substantial fines under EU competition rules , potentially up to 10% of global turnover , and remedies to ensure fair access to key data sources for competing AI developers. The investigation forms part of a wider EU scrutiny of big technology platforms’ behaviour in the AI era. [2][5]

Regulators say the complaint builds on submissions from independent publishers and advocacy groups that argue Google has prioritised its AI product over fair search practices. The inquiry follows other recent EU actions targeting major US tech firms, including separate probes into Meta’s AI policies for WhatsApp and fines imposed on platforms for breaching digital regulation. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has stressed the need to protect a healthy information ecosystem and ensure that dominant digital incumbents do not crowd out innovators. [3][4][5][6]

Legal and policy analysts say the probe will test how existing competition law applies to data and content used to train generative AI, and whether platform terms of service effectively grant incumbents unequal control over essential training material. Observers note the outcome could shape how publishers are compensated and how platforms permit third-party access to content for model development. [3][2]

The Commission did not set a timetable for concluding the investigation. Google has said it will cooperate with regulators as the review proceeds. The inquiry adds to a wave of regulatory action in Brussels seeking to recalibrate the balance between platform-scale AI development and the rights and remuneration of content producers. [1][3][5]

📌 Reference Map:

##Reference Map:

  • [1] (The Guardian) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 8
  • [2] (AP News) - Paragraph 2, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 7
  • [3] (Reuters) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7, Paragraph 8
  • [4] (Reuters) - Paragraph 6
  • [5] (Reuters) - Paragraph 5, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 8
  • [6] (Reuters) - Paragraph 6

Source: Noah Wire Services