European Publishers Council Welcomes Commission Investigation into Google’s Unfair AI Practices
The European Publishers Council (EPC) welcomes today’s announcement by the European Commission concerning Google’s conduct in search and AI-enabled services.
As set out in EPC’s detailed confidential memorandum submitted to the Commission earlier this year, Google’s introduction of AI Overviews, and the planned roll-out of AI Mode, represents a significant shift in how search operates and how publishers’ content is used . These AI-driven features rely heavily on high-quality journalistic content, yet publishers are offered neither meaningful choice nor fair remuneration for that use.
By generating answers directly within the search interface, AI Overviews increasingly substitute for original journalism rather than directing users to it, reducing traffic to publishers’ websites and weakening licensing markets recognised under EU copyright law. AI Mode risks reinforcing this dynamic further by embedding a conversational, links-light experience directly into search.
Angela Mills Wade, Executive Director of the European Publishers Council, said:
“Publishers are not opposed to innovation, including the use of AI, but innovation cannot be built on the use of professional journalism without agreed terms and remuneration and without offering them the possibility to refuse such use of their content without losing access to Google Search. Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode make systematic use of publishers’ content while depriving publishers of traffic, revenues and real choice. That is neither fair nor sustainable, particularly when imposed by a dominant gatekeeper. The Commission’s intervention is therefore both necessary and timely.”
EPC has consistently stressed that copyright alone cannot resolve these issues where market power allows a platform to dictate abusive terms. Effective enforcement of the Digital Markets Act and EU competition rules is essential to ensure that publishers can authorise the use of their content and be remunerated on fair, transparent and non-discriminatory terms.
EPC looks forward to engaging constructively with the Commission as its work proceeds, with the aim of restoring balance in the digital ecosystem and safeguarding the future of independent journalism in Europe.
