Google finds itself under renewed regulatory scrutiny as questions about its generative AI practices make headlines. Independent publishers, together with groups like the Independent Publishers Alliance, Foxglove Group, and Movement for an Open Web, have formally challenged how Google uses their content to train its AI systems.
Backed by collected evidence since the rollout of its AI Overviews in the U.K. last October, publishers are reporting a significant drop in search rankings and overall site visibility. They contend that opting out of AI training comes at an unfair price: reduced presence in search results.
The complaint submitted to the European Commission demands that publishers be allowed to exclude their data from AI programs without compromising their search performance. It also calls for fair compensation for every piece of content used. Rosa Curling, co-founder of Foxglove, puts it bluntly: “What’s happening now is Google is just stealing all the data.” Meanwhile, Google attributes recent variations in traffic to seasonal trends and routine algorithm updates.
Google insists that generative AI is now a core part of its search experience, encouraging publishers to adjust their robots.txt files to manage access to their content. A spokesperson highlighted that billions of search-driven clicks demonstrate how AI-driven experiences can open up fresh avenues for discovery online.
This challenge is just one front in a wider antitrust battle, with investigations in the U.S. also taking aim at Google’s dominance in search and ad technology. As AI continues to reshape how digital content is monetised, regulatory bodies are increasingly concerned about its impact on publisher revenues. Paul Bannister of Raptive warns that failure to act promptly could force many companies out of business.
Recent movements at the U.S. Senate suggest that state-level regulation might soon complement federal efforts. Leaders like Danielle Coffey, CEO of the News Media Alliance, are calling for swift federal legislation, while News Media Europe is urging the European Commission to leverage competition rules and the Digital Markets Act to curb Google’s practices.
Senior policy manager Iacob Gammeltoft from News Media Europe stresses that the very business model of publishing hangs in the balance. Sajeeda Merali of the Professional Publishers Association adds that urgent regulatory measures are essential to protect a sector vital to the U.K. economy. With the globe watching, the outcome of these regulatory battles could fundamentally reshape digital content monetisation and the future of publishing.