EU launches antitrust probe into Google's use of online content for AI purposes – business live

Google has been accused by the European Commission (EC) of breaching EU competition rules by using online content from web publishers and its YouTube service for artificial intelligence purposes. The investigation, launched yesterday, will examine whether Google's actions are distorting competition by imposing unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators.

The EC is concerned that Google has used web publishers' content without permission or compensation to create AI-powered services such as 'AI Overviews', which provides AI-generated summaries above organic search results, and 'AI Mode', a conversational search tab. This practice could give Google an unfair advantage over rival developers of AI models.

Similarly, the EC is investigating whether Google has used video and other content uploaded on YouTube to train its generative AI models without fair compensation to creators or offering them the possibility to refuse such use. The investigation also examines how this affects publishers who depend on Google Search for user traffic and may risk losing access to it if they don't comply with Google's terms.

The Commission will now carry out an in-depth investigation into whether Google has breached EU competition rules, which could lead to significant penalties and fines if found guilty. This probe comes at a time when the tech giant is facing increasing scrutiny over its dominance in the online marketplace and the impact of its AI-powered services on smaller competitors.

omg what's going on with google?? they're basically using other people's content without asking permission or paying them, it's so not cool . i mean i get that they want to improve their ai stuff but is it really worth hurting the rest of us? like what if you have a small blog or youtube channel and someone comes along and uses your vids to train their own AI models without even asking? it just doesn't seem right .

OMG I'm so done with this ! Google's been getting away with using other people's content without permission or even compensation for ages?! It's just not right, you know? They're basically using web publishers as their personal info dump to create these AI-powered services that give them an unfair advantage over everyone else. And meanwhile, the creators of that content are left with nothing but crumbs ️ from Google's table.

I mean, can't they see how this is hurting smaller developers and publishers who rely on Google Search for user traffic? It's like they're taking all the oxygen out of the room and leaving everyone else to suffocate . And now we get a fine from the EC and a whole lotta trouble for Google? Yeah, about time someone stepped in and said "hold up, mate!"

man google's actions are getting more shady by the day i mean, using other people's content without permission or paying them? that's just not cool especially when it comes to youtube creators who put in so much effort and time into making awesome vids and then google just uses them for its own AI purposes meanwhile, these creators are left with no real power or control over how their work is being used it's gotta be investigated, for the sake of fair play and creators everywhere

Google's AI is like my grandma's gossip - it just shows up uninvited and spills all the tea , but for real though, if they're using web publishers' content without permission, that's like stealing snacks from your friends' fridge . And what's with this 'AI Overviews' thing? Sounds like Google is trying to give itself a participation trophy just for showing up . But seriously, the EC needs to keep an eye on these giants or they'll be like the AI equivalent of a robot overlords... and we don't need that

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I'm not sure I buy all this fuss about Google using web publishers' content for AI purposes ... I mean, isn't that just how the internet works? We all use each other's content without permission, right? And what's wrong with giving Google a bit of free data to train its models? It's just one way they're trying to stay ahead in the game . But if it's really distorting competition and unfair terms... that's a different story . I'm not sure how much of this probe is actually about protecting smaller creators or publishers, though. Is Google's dominance in search just too good to be true?

I'm kinda surprised about this one . It's like the EC is trying to take down Google's business model, which isn't necessarily bad... I mean, Google does create jobs and stuff . But at the same time, if they're using web publishers' content without permission or compensation, that's just not cool . It's like a classic case of 'too big to fail' – the EC is trying to level the playing field for smaller competitors who might get hurt by Google's AI-powered services . I'm not saying Google's in trouble or anything... but this investigation could be a slippery slope . What if it sets a precedent for other big tech companies?

idk why google thinks they can just use other ppl's content for their own gain ... like, fair play? publishers work hard to create good stuff & now google is just using it without permission or even paying them ... and then they have the nerve to complain that this is distorting competition ... shouldn't they be on the receiving end of fines instead of handing out penalties to others for doing what they're already doing?

I think this investigation is kinda long overdue. Google's use of web content for AI purposes isn't inherently bad, it's just how they're doing it that raises concerns. They're basically making a big ol' bowl of soup and using everyone else's ingredients without asking . And yeah, it could be unfair to smaller developers, but let's not forget Google is the one investing trillions in AI research... it's like they're playing catch-up with their own tech .

Google's got some 'splainin' to do I mean, come on, they're using other people's content without permission or pay? That's just basic decency, you know? And now they're saying it's okay because they're making AI models and stuff? Give me a break! They need to be held accountable for their actions. The fact that they're doing this to rival devs and creators is especially shady . I mean, if Google can't even play nice with others in the tech world, how are we supposed to trust them with our data and online security?

I think this whole thing is getting pretty messy . Google's been relying on other people's content to build its own AI, which doesn't seem right at all. I mean, who gets credit for creating those AI summaries or models that are basically just a copy of someone else's work? It's just not cool. And the part about YouTube creators not getting paid for their content being used to train these models is straight up shady . We need to make sure Google doesn't get away with this, but at the same time, we can't just slap penalties on them without considering how they're trying to innovate and improve people's lives. It's like finding a balance between innovation and fairness – not an easy one to solve, but someone's gotta try

Google needs to get its act together and start treating content creators fairly . They're basically taking other people's stuff, using it for their own gain, and not even bothering to ask permission . It's like they think the internet is just one big open library where they can borrow whatever they want without giving anything back . Newsflash: that's not how it works . If Google wants to stay on top, they need to start being more considerate of others and playing by the same rules .

this just got juicy google's been accused of using web publishers' content without permission or fair compensation to create ai-powered services... that sounds like a major no-no to me, but at the same time i get why they're doing it - with all the tech giants competing for dominance in the online space, it's hard to see how google wouldn't want to use whatever tools are available to them

on one hand, you gotta feel for those web publishers and content creators who are just trying to make a living off their work... it's like google is taking that away from them without giving anything back but on the other hand, it's not entirely unreasonable that they'd want to use some of that content to create ai models that can help users find what they're looking for faster and more accurately

ugh, google's getting in trouble again . i mean, i get it, they're trying to stay ahead of the game with their ai thingies, but do they have to use other people's content without asking? that just seems like a major no-no to me . and now the eu is all over them about it too . honestly, it's kinda surprising they haven't been investigated sooner considering how much google's grown to be. i feel bad for those web publishers and content creators who are getting squeezed by google's terms. maybe this will give them some leverage to negotiate better deals?

Distracted by ads (Image of a person lying down with an ad on their laptop)

Google's algorithm is like a snake oil salesman, promising to help but actually just serving you a side of unfair competition (GIF of a snake slithering out of a bottle)

Don't @ me, but it's about time someone called Google out on their AI practices (Image of a person holding a sign that says "Fairness")

You know what they say: when you're in a hole, stop digging (GIF of a shovel being pulled out of the ground)

Why are we even surprised? Google's always been about the Benjamins (Image of Benjamin Franklin with a dollar sign over his head)

I'm literally shaking my head ... like what's next?! Google can just use anyone's content without permission and just get away with it? It's all about profit over fairness, if you ask me . And don't even get me started on the AI models - it's like they're trying to control everything . I mean, what's the point of even having creators if Google is just gonna take their work and use it for its own gain? It's so unfair . The EC needs to step in and put some serious checks on Google's actions .

I'm not surprised to hear that Google's using web publishers' content without permission ... I mean, it's like they're just copying and pasting everything into their AI models . But seriously though, if they're using this content without compensating the creators or even asking for permission, that does seem pretty shady .

And what about all these 'terms and conditions' Google's got in place? Are those just a way to control how publishers use Google Search and get away with exploiting them at the same time? I'd love to see some sources on this one before I start jumping to conclusions, though .

It's also pretty weird that the EU Commission is only now getting involved in this. What about all the other times Google's done stuff like this and just gotten a slap on the wrist? Where were they when we needed them most?

OMG, this is like totally crazy! Google's been playing with fire by using other people's content without asking or paying them, right? I mean, who needs fair compensation when you're a giant like Google? They're basically taking advantage of web publishers and creators to train their AI models. It's so not cool. The EU is finally stepping in and doing something about it, though! This probe is gonna be super intense and could lead to some serious penalties for Google. We all know they love to crush the competition, but this time they might get caught with their hands dirty .

omg u guys! so google is getting roasted by the EU for allegedly stealing content from other sites to build their ai tech like what's the deal with that? shouldn't they be paying creators for using their vids and stuff? and now they're just using that same content to crush smaller devs who can't compete with google's unlimited resources i'm low-key rooting for the EU on this one, tbh