The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into whether Google is violating competition rules by using content from news publishers and YouTube creators to train its artificial intelligence systems without offering fair compensation or meaningful opt-out options. Regulators are focusing on the company’s Gemini AI model and whether its practices give it an unfair advantage over rival AI developers.
According to the commission, the inquiry will assess whether Google has imposed unfair terms on content creators, granted itself privileged access to online material, or repurposed publisher content for AI-powered search results without approval. Officials also expressed concern that YouTube creators may have been required to permit the use of their uploads for AI training while being denied the ability to refuse such use. YouTube acknowledges that it applies machine learning and AI to improve products across its platforms, and reports have indicated that Google has used a subset of uploaded videos to train its AI models.
EU competition chief Teresa Ribera emphasized that technological progress must not come at the expense of fundamental principles or fair market conditions. A Google spokesperson argued that the complaint could hinder innovation and maintained that the company would continue collaborating with news and creative sectors as they adapt to the AI era.
The investigation adds to a growing list of regulatory actions targeting major tech firms, including past fines and ongoing scrutiny of practices across digital advertising, online content rules, and competition issues involving multiple US tech giants.