EU investigates Google for using online content to train AI models
Brussels has launched an investigation to determine whether Google is violating competition law in the way it uses material from publishers and content creators to train its artificial intelligence models, the Financial Times reports.
In the EU's latest challenge to big tech companies, regulators on Tuesday said the investigation will examine whether Google is imposing unfair terms on online publishers and content creators who upload videos to its YouTube platform.
As part of the investigation, the European Commission will also analyze whether Google's business practices are putting rival developers of artificial intelligence models at a disadvantage.
"AI is bringing extraordinary innovation and many benefits to people and businesses across Europe, but this progress cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies," said EU competition chief Teresa Ribera.
The investigation follows a series of announcements in recent days under EU digital regulation, including a €120 million fine against Elon Musk's X platform for violating the bloc's digital transparency rules.
The X sanction prompted harsh criticism from US officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the fine was "an attack on all American technology platforms and on the American people by foreign governments".
