The EU has opened an investigation into Google over its artificial intelligence (AI) summaries which appear above search results.
The European Commission said it would examine whether the firm used data from websites to provide this service - and if it failed to offer 'appropriate compensation' to publishers.
It is also investigating how YouTube videos may have been used to improve its broader AI systems, and whether content creators were able to opt-out.
A Google spokesperson said the probe 'risks stifling innovation in a market that is more competitive than ever'.
Europeans deserve to benefit from the latest technologies and we will continue to work closely with the news and creative industries as they transition to the AI era, they said.
The EU's investigation will also cover Google's AI Mode, which gives people an answer in a conversational style with some links to other pages.
This comes amidst concerns that Google's introduction of its AI Overview summaries results in fewer visitors to websites, thereby affecting their advertising revenue.
The Commission is concerned that both web publishers and YouTube creators were not being compensated or allowed to opt-out of their content being used to train the company's AI models.
Campaigners emphasize that this investigation is crucial for creators globally, highlighting the potential dangers to journalism and democracy.
As the investigation unfolds, the Commission aims to ensure a balance between technological growth and the protection of rights within the digital ecosystem.
