According to TechCrunch, the European Commission has formally launched an antitrust investigation into Google’s AI search tools, specifically targeting its “AI Overview” and “AI Mode” products. The probe will examine whether Google breached EU competition rules by using content from websites and YouTube videos without paying publishers or creators to generate its AI summaries. The EC is concerned Google imposes “unfair terms” and doesn’t allow publishers to refuse its data scraping without losing search traffic. Furthermore, the investigation will look at how Google restricts rival AI companies from using YouTube content to train their own models. This action comes amid numerous lawsuits against AI firms like Perplexity by major publishers including The New York Times and News Corp for copyright infringement.
The core issue isn’t just copyright
Here’s the thing: this EU move is different from the media lawsuits flying around in the U.S. Those are often a blunt instrument to force licensing negotiations and get a check cut. The EU’s angle is squarely about market power. They’re asking if Google, by virtue of controlling search and YouTube, is giving itself an insurmountable data advantage. Can any other AI search company possibly compete if they’re locked out of the vast training dataset that is the public web, especially YouTube? Some reports suggest Google’s reach lets it train on far more of the internet than rivals. This probe is the EU trying to be the referee before the game is completely over.
A tricky balancing act for the EU
Now, the irony is pretty thick. The EU is diving headfirst into this complex antitrust case while simultaneously getting cold feet about its own broader AI regulations. They’re reportedly considering simplifying and delaying rules for high-risk AI applications because of widespread criticism. So on one hand, they’re aggressively policing the market. On the other, they’re pulling back on setting the foundational rules. It sends a mixed message, doesn’t it? It looks like they’re more comfortable using their existing competition law toolbox to whack Big Tech than they are rolling out a brand-new, untested AI rulebook. Maybe that’s the smarter play.
What this means for the future
This investigation is a huge deal. It’s not just about Google writing a few checks to angry publishers. It could force a fundamental change in how AI search tools are built. If the EU decides Google must allow publishers to opt-out without penalty, or must pay for content, or must grant rivals access to YouTube data, the entire economics of AI search shifts. Google’s AI Overviews might become less comprehensive or more expensive to run. And it sets a massive precedent. Other regulators will be watching closely. Basically, the EU is drawing a line in the sand about what constitutes fair play in the AI era, using one of its oldest and most powerful weapons: antitrust law. You can read the formal announcement from the European Commission here. The outcome will shape the landscape for everyone trying to build the next search engine.
