AI Policy & Regulation
Jun 5, 2026
UK regulators mandate Google to allow news sites to opt out of AI content scraping
Jun 5, 2026
AI Summary
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has ordered Google to provide news publishers the option to opt out of having their content used for AI services. This decision aims to enhance transparency and fairness in the online search market, giving publishers more control over their content.
- The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has mandated Google to allow news sites to opt out of AI content scraping.
- This ruling is described as a 'world first' and aims to reduce Google's dominance in the UK's online search market.
- Google must provide tools for publishers to prevent their content from being used in AI services, including AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- The company is also required to properly cite publisher content in AI-generated search results and allow publishers to opt out of content used for fine-tuning AI models.
- The CMA's decision follows concerns that news publishers have seen a decline in traffic due to AI features that summarize content, leading to fewer clicks on original articles.
- Google is currently testing a new control for website owners to manage how their links and content appear in generative AI search features.
- CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell stated that these measures will promote fair treatment and transparency for businesses and consumers in the digital landscape.
googleai scrapingnews sitesregulationuk watchdog