EU Scrutinizes Google's AI Summaries for Fair Use of Data

Wed Dec 10 2025 11:07:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Google, focusing on the use of AI-generated summaries in search results and potential infringement on publishers' rights.

The European Union has launched an inquiry into Google regarding its AI-driven search summaries. The investigation aims to determine if Google leveraged data from websites without fair compensation to publishers, potentially harming content creators and independent media. Concerns include the impact on advertising revenue for internet publishing and whether creators can opt out of having their content utilized for AI training. The outcome may reshape the relationship between tech giants and content providers, emphasizing the need for equitable practices.

The EU has opened an investigation into Google over its artificial intelligence (AI) summaries which appear above search results.

The European Commission said it would examine whether the firm used data from websites to provide this service - and if it failed to offer appropriate compensation to publishers.

It is also investigating how YouTube videos may have been used to improve its broader AI systems, and whether content creators were able to opt-out.

A Google spokesperson said the probe risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever.

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 EU's investigation will also cover Google's AI Mode, which gives people an answer in a conversational style with some links to other pages, in addition to the tech giant's existing search platform.

Google's introduction of its AI Overview summaries was met with concerns it could result in fewer visitors to websites, which would mean less revenue from advertising.

The Daily Mail previously claimed the number of people who clicked its links from Google search results fell by around 50% since Google introduced its AI Overview feature.

Ed Newton-Rex from AI fairness campaigners Fairly Trained said it was career suicide for people not to publish their work online.

He told the BBC Google effectively conditions online publishing on creators allowing their work to be used for AI development, while there remain significant risks to journalism and democracy.

The investigation will look into Google's potential exploitation of online content to develop its AI models and whether it has appropriately compensated publishers.

Commission executive vice-president Teresa Ribera emphasized the importance of a diverse media landscape amid rapid AI growth, stating that innovation must not undermine EU values.