Technologies

EU Slaps Google With Antitrust Complaint Over AI Overviews

Independent publishers are worried about Google AI Overviews, trained on fresh journalistic content, filling up search results.

A group of publishers has filed an EU antitrust complaint against Google over its use of AI Overviews, according to a report from Reuters last week. AI Overviews are AI-generated results trained on content across the internet that appears at the top of Google searches.

The complaint comes from a group of independent publishers who want the EU to take some action against Google scraping and repackaging their content, according to a document seen by Reuters.

«Google’s core search engine service is misusing web content for Google’s AI Overviews in Google Search, which have caused, and continue to cause, significant harm to publishers, including news publishers in the form of traffic, readership and revenue loss,» the document reads in part. The complaint also said that publishers don’t have the option to opt out of their material being used for training without also losing visibility in Search.

«More than any other company, Google prioritizes sending traffic to the web, and we send billions of clicks to websites each day. New AI experiences in Search enable people to ask even more questions, which creates new opportunities for content and businesses to be discovered,» a Google spokesperson said in a statement.

Google argues that AI Overviews send higher quality clicks to sites. These are users who spend more time on publications. Even then, it’s hard to know if the potential gain from higher-quality clicks offsets the overall alleged traffic drop due to people getting AI-generated answers instantly in Search.

Representatives for the Independent Publisher’s Alliance and the EU antitrust division did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Publisher traffic across the internet is currently in freefall with some of the biggest sites across the internet seeing drops of 27-59%, according to estimates from Similarweb. Already, publishers are looking towards a «Google Zero» future in which sites build direct connections with readers and rely less on people stumbling upon sites through online search.

Without the mass influx of clicks through search, many sites, including CNN and The Verge, are erecting paywalls, asking readers to subscribe to access content. At the same time, the publishing industry is pushing back hard, filing lawsuits against OpenAI, Microsoft and Perplexity over their use of copyrighted material to train AI models.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

AI companies are also pushing back in court, saying their use of publisher content amounts to «fair use.» Courts, in some instances, are agreeing with Big Tech.

It’s unsurprising that publishers are being defensive of their content. Already, the publishing industry has seen a major effect on its business, leading to layoffs and closures. 2,900 local newspapers have closed in the US since 2005, according to a study from Northwestern University 2025 has also been a tough year to be a journalist, with layoffs hitting CNN, Vox, HuffPost and NBC.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im