On Tuesday, the EU’s antitrust authority initiated a review into the US technology giant concerning its use of online content for powering its AI services, a development that could intensify tensions across the Atlantic.
On Tuesday, the European Commission began an inquiry into Google related to its utilization of content from web publishers and material from YouTube to feed its AI services.
This move follows increased transatlantic friction after Brussels imposed a €120 million penalty on Elon Musk’s social platform X for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), prompting a strong political reaction from the world’s wealthiest individual, who called for dismantling the EU.
“AI offers remarkable innovation and significant advantages for individuals and enterprises throughout Europe, yet this progress must not compromise the foundational principles of our societies,” stated EU competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera.
“Therefore, we are examining whether Google may have enforced unfair conditions on publishers and content creators while disadvantaging competing AI model developers,” Ribera added.
The EU’s probe will determine if Google utilized content from web publishers to deliver generative-AI services on its search result pages without proper remuneration and without providing an opt-out option.
A considerable number of publishers rely on Google Search to generate user traffic.
The investigation will also explore whether videos uploaded to YouTube were employed to train Google’s generative AI models without adequate compensation for creators and without their consent.
This Commission inquiry is grounded in EU legislation aimed at preventing abuses of a dominant market position. However, launching the investigation shortly after a fine on X could provoke backlash from Washington, which has aligned with major American tech firms.
Since Trump’s return to office in 2025, disagreements have arisen between the EU and the US regarding the bloc’s enforcement of digital regulations.
The Trump administration accuses the EU of targeting only US-based companies, while the EU maintains that its laws are nondiscriminatory and reflect its sovereign authority to enforce digital market rules.
A spokesperson for Google commented Tuesday that the complaint “risks hindering innovation within an increasingly competitive market.”
“Europeans deserve access to cutting-edge technologies, and we remain committed to collaborating with news and creative sectors as they adapt to the AI era,” the spokesperson concluded.
Google’s remarks have been incorporated into this report.