EU investigates whether Google uses others' content for AI without payment

The European Commission opened a formal investigation into Google on December 9, 2025. The case concerns how the tech company uses others' content for its AI services. The investigation has been opened, but no violation has been found.

What is the EU investigating?

The Commission is looking at whether Google uses web publishers' content, including that of news media, in AI services such as AI Overviews and AI Mode in search. This happens without appropriate payment and without publishers being able to opt out.

The Commission is also investigating whether Google has used videos uploaded to YouTube to train its generative AI models, without creators being paid or having been able to refuse. Generative AI is AI that creates text, images or audio on its own.

According to the Commission, YouTube's rules also prohibit competing AI developers from using YouTube content to train their own models, which may give Google an advantage, because creators must give Google permission for AI use.

A dilemma for publishers

The investigation also assesses whether publishers face a dilemma: Either they allow their content to be used for AI, or they must accept lower visibility in search.

According to Teresa Ribera, the EU's competition commissioner, the Commission's assessment is that Google may be abusing its dominant position as a search engine by imposing unfair terms on publishers. She says: "AI brings remarkable innovation, but this progress cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies."

In an industry article, publishers report drops in click rates of 34.5-54.6 percent when AI summaries are shown. That is the article's account, and the basis for the figure is unclear.

Google's response and possible fine

According to the Irish Examiner, Google says the investigation risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever. The company also says it will work with news and creative industries in the AI era.

If Google is found guilty of violating EU competition rules, the company risks a fine of up to 10 percent of its global annual revenue. There is no statutory deadline for how long the investigation may last.

The case is based on complaints from the European Publishers Council and Corint Media. It comes after an EU fine of 3 billion euros against Google in September 2025 for favoring its own ad services.

The case concerns competition law and abuse of a dominant position, not directly copyright.