EU Launches Antitrust Probe into Google's AI Content Use: Unfair Practices Alleged

• The European Commission has initiated a formal antitrust investigation into Google for alleged misuse of web publisher and YouTube content for AI purposes.
• The probe will examine if Google distorts competition by imposing unfair terms on publishers and creators, or by gaining privileged access to content, disadvantaging rival AI models.
• Concerns include Google's use of web publisher content for 'AI Overviews' and 'AI Mode' without compensation or refusal options, despite publishers' reliance on Google Search.
• The investigation also covers Google's use of YouTube content to train its generative AI models without compensating creators or allowing them to opt out, while barring rivals from similar access.
• If proven, these practices could violate EU competition rules prohibiting the abuse of a dominant market position (Article 102 TFEU).