UK wants to give web publishers a 'fairer' deal with Google's AI overviews

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has recommended measures to enhance control for web publishers regarding how their content is utilized in Google’s AI overviews. This initiative, emphasized by CMA chief Sarah Cardell, seeks to provide a "fairer deal" for content creators, particularly news organizations, amidst concerns over Google's dominance in the search market, where it holds over 90% of inquiries. As part of the new regulatory landscape shaped by the Digital Market Act, the CMA proposes allowing publishers to opt out of their content being used for AI features and mandates proper attribution, all aimed at promoting competitive practices and addressing potential antitrust issues.

In response, Google has indicated it is exploring ways to allow publishers to specifically opt-out of AI-generated content features while maintaining an effective search experience for users. This balancing act comes as Google contends that certain interventions could stifle innovation and growth in the UK, referencing past EU regulations that reportedly led to significant losses for businesses. The measures proposed by the CMA could reshape the digital content landscape, granting publishers greater control and potentially fostering new opportunities for innovation and competition within the tech sector.