EU Publishers Accuse Google of Anticompetitive Practices in AI Sector via Antitrust Complaint to the EU
In a significant move, the Independent Publishers Alliance (IPA) has lodged an antitrust complaint with both the European Commission and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) against Google. The complaint, filed on July 4, 2025, alleges that Google is misusing web content in its AI Overviews within Google Search, causing harm to publishers.
The IPA argues that Google's AI-generated summaries, known as AI Overviews, are replacing traditional search result clicks, a phenomenon known as "zero-click" searches. This, they claim, leads to a decrease in website traffic, which is crucial for ad sales, subscription conversions, and brand partnerships.
Publishers are particularly concerned about the lack of control they have over their content being used in AI Overviews. They demand either payment for content use or a significant reduction in zero-click AI summaries to sustain a viable publishing ecosystem.
The complaint targets Google's search monopoly, alleging that the tech giant unfairly leverages its position to prioritize its AI products over third-party content. This, the IPA asserts, constitutes a foreclosure of competition and a distortion of end-user choices.
This legal action is part of a broader regulatory scrutiny within the EU and UK, where multiple groups accuse Google of violating the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) regarding fair competition and user choice. The CMA in the UK is also reviewing Google's market power, including AI-related search features, with decisions and remedial measures expected by late 2026.
Google maintains that AI Overviews enhance user experience and drive deeper engagement with linked content. However, the company acknowledges ongoing discussions about giving content owners more control over AI usage. Any attempt to block AI ingestion, Google warns, risks removal from search entirely.
The outcome of this antitrust action could define a new chapter in the evolving relationship between technology platforms and content creators. The complaint raises concerns about the balance between innovation in AI and fair competition, as well as the sustainability of the digital news ecosystem.
In addition, the complaint highlights the risk of inaccurate summaries by AI Overviews eroding public trust in journalism. Publishers hope to secure binding commitments that preserve their right to determine how their work feeds AI models and populates search summaries.
The case is ongoing, with negotiations and regulatory decisions expected to continue through 2025 and 2026. Google is reportedly preparing AI Mode as the future default search experience in the next 2-3 years, with classic search options maintained as secondary.
References: 1. The Guardian. (2025, July 5). Publishers launch antitrust complaint against Google over AI-generated search results. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/05/publishers-launch-antitrust-complaint-against-google-over-ai-generated-search-results 2. Reuters. (2025, July 5). Publishers accuse Google of abusing dominance in online search market. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/technology/publishers-accuse-google-abusing-dominance-online-search-market-2025-07-05/ 3. BBC News. (2025, July 5). Publishers take Google to EU and UK regulators over AI search results. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58918396 4. Wired. (2025, July 5). Publishers Accuse Google of Misusing Content in AI-Generated Search Results. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/story/publishers-accuse-google-misusing-content-ai-generated-search-results/ 5. TechCrunch. (2025, July 5). Publishers file antitrust complaint against Google over AI-generated search results. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/05/publishers-file-antitrust-complaint-against-google-over-ai-generated-search-results/
- The Independent Publishers Alliance (IPA) argues that Google's AI-generated summaries, known as AI Overviews, lead to a decrease in website traffic, which is critical for ad sales, subscription conversions, and brand partnerships.
- The IPA asserts that Google's tech giant unfairly leverages its position to prioritize its AI products over third-party content in search, constituting a foreclosure of competition and a distortion of end-user choices.
