Google faces EU antitrust probe over its use of content for AI
By ramontomeydw // 2025-12-11
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  • The European Commission has launched a formal antitrust investigation into Google, alleging it used publisher and YouTube content to power AI services like "AI Overviews" without fair compensation or consent.
  • The probe will scrutinize two main concerns: the use of web publisher content for AI search summaries and the use of YouTube videos to train AI models, both while potentially blocking competitors from similar access.
  • EU competition chief Teresa Ribera framed the investigation as a defense of democratic principles, stating innovation cannot come at the expense of diverse media and a vibrant creative landscape.
  • Google denounced the probe as a risk to innovation, while the EU's action is part of a wider regulatory offensive against Big Tech, following recent multi-billion euro fines against Google.
  • The investigation marks a pivotal global confrontation over AI data practices, and its outcome could set crucial precedents for how AI developers compensate and interact with content industries.
In a significant escalation of Europe's regulatory clash with Big Tech, the European Commission has launched a formal antitrust investigation into Google, alleging the search giant is using the content of publishers and YouTube creators to power its artificial intelligence (AI) services without fair compensation or consent. The probe centers on whether Google's practices with its "AI Overviews" and "AI Mode" features breach EU competition rules by leveraging its dominance to undermine media diversity and stifle rival AI developers. The investigation announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9, will scrutinize two primary concerns. First, regulators will examine if Google used content from web publishers – such as news articles – to generate AI-powered summaries and answers that appear directly in search results, without appropriately paying for that content and without offering publishers a meaningful way to opt out. The commission noted that many publishers feel they cannot refuse, fearing loss of vital traffic from Google Search. Second, the probe will assess whether Google used videos and other content uploaded to YouTube to train its generative AI models, again without remunerating creators or providing an option to refuse. At the same time, the investigation will examine Google's use of YouTube policies to bar competing AI developers from accessing the same material. The investigation marks a pivotal moment in the global debate over the balance between technological innovation and the economic foundations of a free press. Teresa Ribera, the EU competition chief,  framed the investigation as a defense of fundamental societal principles. "A free and democratic society depends on diverse media, open access to information, and a vibrant creative landscape. 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," Ribera said. The commission stated that if proven, Google's practices may constitute an abuse of a dominant position, prohibited under EU treaty rules.

Google's mounting legal woes in Europe

A Google spokesperson denounced the EU's antitrust investigation, noting that it "risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever." They added: "Europeans deserve to benefit from the latest technologies and we will continue to work closely with the news and creative industries as they transition to the AI era." The investigation places Google at the center of a widening regulatory offensive by the European Union against U.S. technology giants. It comes just months after the EU fined Google nearly €3 billion for antitrust violations in the advertising technology industry, a decision the company is appealing. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine points out that Google training its Gemini AI without compensating publishers and YouTube creators exploits their intellectual property, undermining fair compensation and incentivizing the theft of original content. This predatory practice enriches Big Tech while eroding trust, creativity and livelihoods – furthering the globalist agenda of centralized control over information and wealth. This latest probe also follows closely on other EU actions, including a fine for social media platform X and a separate antitrust investigation into Meta regarding its AI data policies. There is no legal deadline for the commission to complete its in-depth investigation, and the opening of proceedings does not prejudge the outcome, though Google potentially faces another substantial fine if found in violation. The case underscores a growing global confrontation over the data ecosystems that fuel advanced AI. Regulators are increasingly questioning whether the foundational practice of using publicly available online content to train commercial AI systems, without payment or permission, constitutes an unfair leveraging of market power that harms content creators and distorts competition. As the European Commission prioritizes this investigation, its findings could establish crucial precedents governing the relationship between AI developers and the content industries that inform their models. Watch the Health Ranger Mike Adams warning how dangerous Google has become in this clip. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TechXplore.com EC.Europa.eu CNBC.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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