On 9 December 2025 the European Commission opened another abuse of dominance investigation into Google. This follows a number of recent Commission competition law investigations into Google's practices: previous decisions have resulted in combined fines in excess of EUR10bn.
The current proceedings allege that Google may have abused a dominant position by:
- Using online content to provide generative AI services without obtaining publishers' consent or providing them with appropriate compensation.
- Using YouTube content to train its generative AI models, again without obtaining creators' consent or providing appropriate compensation.
The investigation and any outcome reached is likely to be significant as:
- It opens a new front in the ongoing battle between content creators/rights holders and AI developers over the use of intellectual property by AI systems.
- It may have important implications for the future viability of current online advertising models.
- Further political disruption between the US and EU may flow from any adverse decision.
We regularly advise on legal issues connected with the use of AI - further information may be found at AI insights - Stevens & Bolton LLP.
