Google’s AI training tactics land it in another EU antitrust fight

Steven

Google’s AI training tactics land it in another EU antitrust fight

Summary

The European Commission has opened an antitrust probe into Google over allegations it uses web pages and YouTube uploads to train its AI without proper compensation or an opt-out for creators and publishers. Regulators will investigate whether Google grants itself privileged access to such content while restricting rivals, and whether its terms for publishers and creators amount to an abuse of dominance under EU competition rules. Google rejects the claims, pointing to crawler controls and tools for creators, and warns intervention could hamper innovation.

Key Points

  • The European Commission launched an antitrust investigation into Google on 9 December 2025 regarding use of web and YouTube content for AI training.
  • Regulators allege publishers and creators are not compensated or given an option to refuse inclusion in Google’s training datasets.
  • The probe will examine claims Google blocks rivals from using YouTube content, potentially giving itself a competitive edge.
  • Google says publishers can control crawling via its Google-Extended token and robots.txt and points to creator protection tools on YouTube.
  • EU concerns include crawler behaviour, the effect of crawl restrictions on search rankings, and whether Google’s practices distort competition.
  • The investigation follows a similar recent probe into Meta for restricting rivals’ AI access on WhatsApp, signalling increased EU scrutiny of platform behaviour around AI.

Content Summary

Brussels is probing whether Google used publicly available web content and YouTube uploads to train its generative AI features without appropriate remuneration or the option for creators and publishers to opt out. The Commission is also investigating claims Google prevents competitors from training on YouTube content, which could amount to unfair terms and privileged access.

Google disputes the Commission’s concerns, arguing publishers have tools to manage crawling and that the move to intervene could slow innovation. Regulators remain worried about the interplay between crawler rules, search ranking impacts and platform power.

Context and Relevance

This investigation occurs amid a broader regulatory push in the EU to hold major tech platforms accountable for how they gather and use data to build AI. It connects to ongoing debates over data ownership, creators’ rights, and fair access to training material for rival AI developers. A finding against Google could force changes to how platforms harvest training data, require compensation models for creators/publishers, or restrict platform practices that lock out rivals.

Why should I read this

Short and blunt: if you publish content online, build or sell AI, or follow tech regulation, this matters. It could change who gets paid, who gets access to training data, and how big platforms behave. Read on if you care about fair access and whether platforms can quietly tilt the market in their favour.

Author style

Punchy: This isn’t just another regulatory nibble — it’s a serious EU antitrust move aimed at the heart of how modern AI is built. If regulators press the case, the fallout could reshape rules on data use, creator remuneration and competitive access for rival AI firms. Worth reading the detail if you want to understand likely market shifts.

Source

Source: https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/12/09/eu_google_ai_antitrust/