UK Competition Watchdog Proposes New Rules for Google AI Search Features The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is pushing for new measures to give publishers, especially news organizations, more control over how their content is used within Google’s AI-generated search summaries. The move aims to create a fairer relationship between the dominant search giant and content creators. With Google handling over 90 percent of search queries in the UK, the CMA recently granted the company a strategic market status designation under the Digital Markets Act. This status empowers the regulator to impose specific conduct requirements on Google to foster competition and prevent anti-competitive practices. Using this new authority, the CMA has outlined several proposed obligations. A key measure would introduce a set of controls allowing publishers to opt out of having their content used for features like AI Overviews or for training Google’s AI models. Google would also be required to provide clear attribution to publisher content when it is used. Further proposals include a mandate for Google to apply fair and unbiased rankings in its search results for businesses, alongside establishing a clear and effective process for those businesses to raise and investigate ranking concerns. Additionally, Google would need to provide a choice screen on Android mobile devices and Chrome browsers in the UK, offering users a selection of alternative search engines. The CMA’s chief executive stated that these targeted actions are designed to give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control in their interactions with Google’s search services. She added that the measures would also unlock greater opportunities for innovation across the UK’s tech sector and broader economy. In response, Google confirmed it is exploring updates to allow website owners to opt out specifically from its Search Generative AI features. The company stated its goal is to balance maintaining a helpful search experience for users seeking quick information with providing publishers better tools to manage their content. Google expressed optimism about meeting the CMA’s requirements but cautioned that any new controls must avoid creating a fragmented or confusing search experience. Google has previously voiced concerns about regulatory interventions in the UK market. When first designated with strategic market status, the company argued that some proposed rules could inhibit innovation and economic growth. It pointed to a study suggesting similar measures in the European Union had produced negative results, costing businesses billions.
