EU Publishers File Antitrust Complaint Against Google Over AI Summaries
Google’s AI-generated summaries are facing backlash, particularly for their impact on US news sites, leading to an antitrust complaint lodged in the European Union by a coalition of independent publishers.
This complaint, filed on June 30, accuses Google of abusing its dominant market position. The publishers argue that Google’s search engine prioritizes its AI-generated summaries over links directing users to original content.
The complaint calls for the European Commission to enforce temporary measures protecting publishers from what they regard as “irreparable harm.”
The allegations suggest that Google misuses web content to promote its own AI summaries, which has raised concerns across the industry.
According to data from digital intelligence firm SimoryWeb, news sites have seen a notable drop in traffic since the AI feature was introduced in May 2024. Specifically, traffic to 37 news domains declined year-over-year, with significant increases in the number of searches that yield “zero clicks,” where users don’t click on any news site. The figures reveal that in May 2025, 69% of news-related searches ended without clicks, a rise from 56% the previous year.
An EU spokesperson confirmed the receipt of the complaint, mentioning intentions to designate Google in strategic market conditions for search services, which could lead to new regulations addressing its operations in the UK.
The AI-generated summaries appear prominently at the top of search results, a feature now available in over 100 countries. Since May, Google has started integrating ads into these summaries, raising further concerns among publishers about their visibility and accessibility.
Publishers contend that this practice disadvantages original content while giving them little agency over how their work is utilized. Additionally, they argue there is no option to opt out from being included in AI model training without losing their presence in Google search results.
The complaint is supported by various organizations, including the open web group, which expresses urgency for regulatory actions to combat what they view as threats to competition and access to news.
Foxglove’s co-executive director, Rosa Curling, emphasized the severe implications for independent news outlets: “The overview of Google’s AI poses existential threats to independent journalism.” This complaint aims to push the European Commission to take action.
In response, a Google spokesperson defended the AI overview feature, asserting it creates new opportunities for content discovery. They noted that the platform generates billions of clicks daily and suggested that traffic can fluctuate due to numerous factors, such as seasonal demand and changes to algorithms.
This EU complaint aligns with similar claims made in a U.S. lawsuit, where it’s argued that Google’s summaries diminish demand for original content, ultimately undermining publishers’ competitiveness.
Google has recently encountered several antitrust investigations globally, including a notable $4.7 billion fine in Europe for abusing its market position with the Android operating system. Ongoing investigations may lead to further regulatory actions in the EU concerning digital advertising and search practices.
In the U.S., a federal ruling in August 2024 found Google in violation of antitrust laws, citing exclusive agreements, and a subsequent ruling in April 2025 concluded that the company illegally controlled the online advertising market.
