CMA pushes back on Google's AI overviews

"The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Wednesday set out proposed rules that would force Google to loosen its control over how search works in the UK. The move comes as AI becomes more deeply embedded at the top of results pages. Rather than reopening old talks about Google's dominance in search, the CMA is homing in on how AI summaries and automated rankings could lock both users and businesses even deeper into Google's ecosystem."

"At the centre of the proposals is Google's 'AI overviews', the summaries shown above traditional links when using the search engine. The watchdog wants publishers to gain control over whether their content is used to power those summaries or train AI systems, without being forced to disappear from search altogether. That reflects a growing concern in Whitehall that generative AI could hollow out the web's economic plumbing, diverting attention, and ad revenue, away from content creators while consolidating power at the platform level."

"Elsewhere, the CMA is also proposing rules that would require Google to demonstrate that its rankings are fair and transparent, including inside AI-driven features. That includes proving it is not favouring its own services, or commercial partners, as search sees a shift from links to answers. In a further challenge to Google's market grip, the regulator wants legally mandated "choice screens" on Android phones and within the Chrome browser."

The Competition and Markets Authority has set out proposed rules to force Google to loosen control over how search works in the UK. The proposals target Google's AI overviews — summaries displayed above traditional links — and aim to give publishers control over whether their content is used for those summaries or to train AI systems without being removed from search. The CMA also seeks requirements for Google to demonstrate that rankings are fair and transparent, including within AI-driven features, and proposes legally mandated choice screens on Android and in Chrome to make switching search engines easier.

Read at City AM