Google Offers AI Opt-Out to Address UK Regulatory Pressure

Google announced it is developing new search controls allowing websites to opt out of its generative AI features, responding to pressure from Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority.

The UK regulator, which designated Google as having "strategic market status" in search last October, has demanded greater transparency and user choice. Google controls over 90% of UK search queries and uses web content to train AI Overviews and Gemini.

The company also proposed a less intrusive device setting to change default search engines, replacing frequent pop-ups it acknowledged annoyed users.

Publishers report plummeting click-through rates as users rely on AI-generated summaries instead of original content.

Google warned that rigid regulatory mandates could have "disproportionate and detrimental consequences" for innovation, users, and publishers. It pledged to continue working with the CMA on "practical solutions."