EU Launches New Antitrust Investigation into Google’s AI Practices
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, the European Commission has announced a new antitrust investigation into Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) practices. The probe will assess whether Google’s terms and conditions imposed on publishers and content creators are anti-competitive, and if it grants preferential access to its own AI development while disadvantaging rival AI developers.
EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera stated that AI offers substantial innovation and benefits for European citizens and businesses, but that this progress cannot come at the expense of fundamental societal principles. She emphasized the importance of investigating potential unfair conditions imposed by Google on content providers, which could negatively impact competing AI developers and violate EU competition rules.
In response, a Google spokesperson argued that the investigation could stifle innovation in an increasingly competitive market. Google pledged to continue collaborating closely with the news and creative industries as they transition to the AI era, ensuring that Europeans can benefit from the latest technologies.
This investigation follows a €3 billion ($3.4 billion USD) fine imposed on Google by the EU in September for obstructing competition in the ad tech industry and breaching antitrust regulations.
These actions are part of a broader series of measures by the EU targeting major U.S. technology companies. Recently, the European Commission fined Elon Musk’s social media platform X €120 million ($140 million USD) for violating transparency obligations regarding its ad repository and deceptive design related to its “Blue Check” subscription. Musk reacted by calling for the EU to be dissolved, a decision that has drawn criticism from key Republican figures.
Last week, the EU also announced an antitrust investigation into Meta concerning its new policy of granting AI providers access to WhatsApp, potentially breaching EU competition rules, according to a CNBC report.
