EU Launches Antitrust Probe into Google's Use of Online Content for AI

The EU is investigating Google's use of online content and YouTube videos for its AI models, amidst concerns over fair compensation to publishers and potential abuse of Google's market dominance. The investigation highlights the EU's commitment to protecting content creators and maintaining competition in AI markets.

The European Union has initiated an antitrust probe into Google's practices concerning online content and YouTube videos used in training its artificial intelligence models. Announced on Tuesday by the European Commission, apprehensions revolve around Google's potential failure to adequately compensate web publishers and video creators.

The Commission, serving as the EU's competition watchdog, raised issues over Google's utilization of content without offering rights holders the option to decline. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera expressed concerns about Google's possible misuse of its dominant search engine status to enforce unfavorable conditions on publishers, especially through AI-generated services like 'AI Overviews'.

The investigation followed a complaint by independent publishers in July. It underscores the growing regulatory examination of tech giants, with Google potentially facing fines up to 10% of its global turnover if found in violation of antitrust rules, coinciding with a separate investigation into Meta's practices.

(With inputs from agencies.)