European Commission Investigates Google's AI Search Practices
The European Commission has launched a formal antitrust investigation into Google's artificial intelligence search tools, marking a significant escalation in the EU's regulatory scrutiny of Big Tech's AI ambitions. The probe, announced on December 9, 2025, will examine whether Google is violating EU competition rules by using online content from publishers and YouTube creators without appropriate compensation to train its AI systems.
What the Investigation Covers
The investigation focuses on two main areas: Google's use of web publishers' content for its AI Overviews and AI Mode features, and its use of YouTube videos to train generative AI models. According to the Commission's statement, the probe will assess whether Google is 'breaching EU competition rules by not appropriately compensating publishers or offering them the possibility of refusing the use of their content for AI-generated summaries without losing access to Google Search.'
'Many publishers depend on Google Search for user traffic, and they do not want to risk losing access to it,' the Commission noted in its press release, highlighting the power imbalance between the tech giant and content creators.
The Publisher Perspective
Publishers across Europe have been vocal about their concerns regarding AI-generated search results. The core issue is that Google's AI Overviews display summaries of content directly in search results, reducing the need for users to click through to publishers' websites. This has led to significant traffic declines and corresponding revenue losses from advertising.
'Innovation shouldn't be built on using professional journalism without agreed terms and fair remuneration,' said Angela Mills Wade, Executive Director of the European Publishers Council, which welcomed the investigation as 'necessary and timely.'
YouTube Content Under Scrutiny
The investigation also targets Google's use of YouTube videos to train its AI models. The Commission will examine whether content creators are being adequately compensated for their work being used to develop Google's AI capabilities, and whether they have meaningful options to opt out of such use.
Additionally, the probe will investigate whether Google is unfairly restricting rival AI developers from using YouTube content to train their own models while using that same content for its own AI services. This could potentially give Google an unfair competitive advantage in the rapidly growing AI market.
Regulatory Context and Potential Consequences
This investigation comes amid broader regulatory challenges for Google in Europe. In September 2025, Google was hit with a €3 billion fine for antitrust violations related to its advertising technology. The current probe represents the EU's latest effort to ensure fair competition in digital markets, particularly as AI technologies reshape how information is accessed and consumed.
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera emphasized the broader principles at stake: 'A free and democratic society depends on diverse media, open access to information, and a vibrant creative landscape. These values are central to who we are as Europeans. 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.'
Google's Response and Industry Implications
Google has responded to the investigation by stating that the complaint 'risks stifling innovation in a competitive market.' The company argues that its AI features are designed to improve user experience and that it has implemented measures to address publisher concerns, including prominent linking to source content within AI Overviews.
If the investigation concludes that Google has breached EU law, the Commission could impose fines of up to 10% of the company's global annual revenue. More importantly, the outcome could establish important precedents for how AI companies can use online content for training their models while respecting intellectual property rights and fair competition principles.
The investigation is expected to take several months, with industry observers watching closely as it could shape the future of AI development and content monetization across Europe's digital landscape.