Overview
- The European Commission launched a formal investigation on December 9 into Google’s use of web publishers’ material and YouTube videos for generative AI.
- Officials are assessing whether content surfaced in AI-powered search features was used without appropriate payment to publishers or a workable refusal mechanism.
- The probe also examines whether videos and other uploads on YouTube were tapped to train Google’s models without compensating creators or allowing them to opt out.
- Regulators will evaluate if Google imposed unfair terms or benefited from privileged access to third-party content that could disadvantage rival AI services.
- The case adds to recent EU pressure on Google, including a near €3 billion ad-tech fine in September and a separate DMA-related inquiry into search policies, to which Google has proposed technical remedies while resisting breakup calls.