Google's ongoing struggles

AI scepticism, a bold new approach to data control, and yet more Big Tech copyright woes - all in this week's Content Aware.

Published: 14:49, 27 March 2025

Corbidge comments on... light, lies and statistics
What do flashlights and Google have in common? More than you think! GPP's scribe supreme Rob sheds light on Google's use of data to support an argument that unsurprisingly portrays a bad argument in a very good light..
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NYT caution tells a tale
The New York Times' adoption of AI shows how complex it is to work AI tools into publisher workflows with confidence. In this piece for INMA, GPP not-bot Rich Fairbairn digs into the challenges and concerns that are shaping the wider conversation about publishers' use of AI tools for content.
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New copyright alarms
OpenAI released 4o image generation this week, and it's already resurfacing the same copyright concerns as it ever did, just with fewer random fingers.
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Italy goes all out on Big Tech
Italy’s taking the fight to Big Tech, accusing Meta, X, and LinkedIn of collectively dodging over 1 billion euros in taxes, arguing that the platforms should be taxed for the personal data they harvest in exchange for sign-ups. This clash has the potential to stir up significant change across the EU, and, if successful, set a new tone for how the region takes on the industry moving forward.
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Google Search Central Meetup takeaways
At the recent Google Search Central meetup in New York, SEO expert Lily Ray observed more frustration about AI Overviews (AIO) - unsurprisingly, given their lack of transparency, accuracy issues, and poor tracking - while Google delivered yet another round of corporate doublespeak about the future of Search.
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Playing for free, but for how long?
A California federal judge denied Universal Music Group's and a few other music publishers' request for Anthropic to block its data-harvesting of lyrics for future AI training. A slap in the face for the publishing industry, but hardly a win for Anthropic as there’s still room for future claims and financial damages.
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Indexed and ignored
Last month, we argued that publishers are to Google what Reddit users are to Reddit - essential, yet treated with utter contempt. Without content, there’s no value, yet Google is determined to keep users trapped within its own ecosystem as Search quality continues to decline and AIOs make matters worse. As for the future of Search? Some tweaks here and there, but at its core, Google still views publishers as nothing more than a “necessary evil”.
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Success story of the week: ProPublica
ProPublica’s journey began as an ambitious idea sketched on an envelope in 2006, aiming to counter the decline of investigative journalism. It's since grown into a powerhouse, proving that nonprofit, high-quality journalism matters and can thrive, though not all who followed in its footsteps have enjoyed the same success.
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MyTerms, my rules
Internet freedom advocate Doc Searls’ ''MyTerms'' standard takes aim at the data-hungry practices of websites and apps, where users are forced to accept convoluted privacy policies to access services. Instead of passively surrendering personal data, ''MyTerms'' would give individuals control over their privacy terms and also disrupt the prevailing tracking models used by giants like Google as well as countless websites that rely on invasive data practices. Though widespread adoption would be required, it offers a refreshing alternative to the current privacy and data-sharing power dynamics.
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Google's smokescreen
In response to the European Copyright Directive, which aims to ensure fairer compensation for the use of copyrighted content, Google ran a Hail Mary experiment and removed European news content for 1% of users across eight EU countries to measure its impact on Google’s ad revenue. It's produced little to no impact, says Google, but industry experts beg to differ.
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Google-Apple deal at stake
The Google-Apple search deal is at risk, with Google paying Apple to be the default search engine on Apple devices. But now, amidst the Google monopoly trial, Apple may be at risk of losing its lucrative revenue stream, around 25% of its total services revenue, thanks to their delay in requesting participation in the upcoming hearing.
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AI doubts
In a recent study that Sam Altman and his peers would likely prefer to ignore, AI researchers are growing increasingly sceptical that simply scaling up current AI practices will lead to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
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Privacy win
Next level of "Never see this ad again": Tanya O'Carroll took Meta to court over Facebook’s use of personal data for targeted ads, with backing from the UK's data regulator, and agreement was reached to end the practice.
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Felt cute, might delete later
Everyone loves a cute animal video, especially when it features unlikely animal pairings. But AI-generated versions? Not so much. Newsflare, known for sourcing and licensing video content, is now in the spotlight after being caught using fake AI videos that racked millions of views.
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