Independent Publishers File Complaint Against Google Over AI-Generated Summaries

A group of independent publishers has filed a complaint against Google with the European Commission, Reuters has learned, concerning the AI-generated summaries that appear above search results. The group has also initiated similar proceedings with the UK’s competition authority. They are seeking an interim measure to prevent “serious and irreparable harm.”

These summaries have been rolled out by Google in over a hundred countries, though not yet in France. According to the complaint, dated June 30, 2025, they are causing a decrease in website visits and revenue. The plaintiffs also assert that publishers cannot refuse the use of their content for AI training and the composition of summaries “without losing their ability to appear in Google’s general search results page.” Google maintains that AI is “an integral part of how the search engine works.”

The collective includes the Independent Publisher Alliance, which describes itself as a non-profit organization advocating for independent publishers, and the Movement for an Open Web, which includes advertisers and digital publishers. The UK-based NGO Foxglove, which advocates for technology equity, is also a signatory. Rosa Curling, co-director of the organization, stated that AI-generated previews constitute “an existential threat” to independent media.

According to a Google spokesperson cited by Reuters, the decreases in traffic observed by publishers could be related to “many reasons, including seasonal demand, user interests, and frequent updates to the search algorithm.” A company spokesperson also argues that Google “sends thousands of clicks to sites every day.”

Authors: Le Monde with Reuters

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