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Google Faces EU Antitrust Complaint Over AI Search Summaries

By  |  July 6, 2025

Google’s AI-generated summaries, known as AI Overviews, are under scrutiny in Europe after a coalition of digital media organizations filed a formal complaint with the European Commission. The grievance, brought forward by the Independent Publishers Alliance, alleges that the tech giant is unfairly using online content in its AI Overviews feature, harming publishers across the region, according to TechCrunch.

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    The complaint contends that Google is repurposing publisher content in its AI-generated summaries without adequate recourse for content creators. The Alliance claims that the search feature has led to “significant harm” for digital media outlets by reducing traffic, readership, and advertising revenue. Per a TechCrunch report, the group further argues that publishers are left with a stark choice: allow their content to be used or risk being excluded from Google Search altogether.

    The AI Overviews feature was rolled out just over a year ago and offers condensed, AI-generated responses to user queries directly at the top of Google search pages. While it has evolved since its introduction—despite early issues with accuracy—many publishers say it has become increasingly problematic for their business models.

    Related: Google Pitches New Search Layout to Avoid Fresh EU Antitrust Fine

    In a statement to Reuters, Google defended the technology, stating that its AI tools are helping users explore topics in more depth, creating “new opportunities for content and businesses to be discovered.” The company also questioned the basis of the traffic-loss claims, suggesting that web traffic fluctuations are often due to numerous, complex factors.

    Still, the Independent Publishers Alliance maintains that Google’s AI tools are undermining the visibility of original journalism. According to TechCrunch, the group emphasized that there is currently no meaningful opt-out mechanism that would allow publishers to protect their content from being used in AI Overviews without sacrificing their presence in search rankings entirely.

    Source: TechCrunch