Google May Offer Publishers More Options to Control AI’s Use of Content

Google faces potential new regulations covering its search services in the United Kingdom and, in separate news, reportedly agreed to settle a proposed class action lawsuit in the United States involving its operating system for smartphones.

Potential measures announced Wednesday (Jan 28) would see the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) impose new rules covering Google’s search services.

The CMA’s proposed measures would provide content publishers more choice and clarity over how their content is used in Google’s AI Overviews; ensure the tech giant ranks search results fairly, including those in its AI Overviews and AI Mode; make it easier for users of Android smartphones and the Chrome browser to switch search services; and make it easier for people and businesses to use Google search data, the regulator said in a Wednesday press release.

“These targeted and proportionate actions would give U.K. businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google’s search services — as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the U.K. tech sector and broader economy,” CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said in the release. “They would also provide a fairer deal for content publishers, particularly news organizations, over how their content is used in Google’s AI Overviews.”

In a blog post addressing the CMA’s announcement, Ron Eden, principal, product management at Google, said the company will engage with the regulator’s process and will continue working with website owners and other stakeholders on this topic.

Eden also highlighted controls Google already provides to web publishers, noting that some of the controls also apply to AI Overviews and Google’s training of its Gemini AI models.

“We’re optimistic we can find a path forward that provides even more choice to website owners and publishers, while ensuring people continue to get the most helpful and innovative Search experience possible,” Eden said in the post.

In other news, in the proposed settlement reported on Wednesday, Google will pay $135 million to resolve allegations that its Android operating system collected smartphone users’ cellular data without their permission, Reuters reported. The settlement requires a judge’s approval.

The plaintiffs alleged that Google collected cellular data to support its product development and its targeted advertising campaigns, according to the report.

In the proposed settlement, Google denied wrongdoing. The deal requires a $135 million payout as well as the company’s agreement to not transfer data without Android users’ consent, make it easier for users to stop the transfers, and disclose the transfers in its Google Play terms of service, per the report.