Edtech company Chegg has initiated legal proceedings against Google, alleging that the technology company’s AI-generated summaries of search results have negatively impacted Chegg’s website traffic and revenue.
The lawsuit, submitted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, accuses Google of engaging in unfair competitive practices, including reciprocal dealing, maintaining a monopoly, and benefitting unjustly. Chegg asserts that Google coerces companies to provide their content to be featured in Google Search, thereby leveraging its monopolistic control over search to exploit third-party intellectual property for its own advantage.
Chegg is pursuing compensatory damages and additional forms of relief, along with an injunction against Google’s purported “unlawful and unfair” activities.
This action positions Chegg among a growing number of publishers expressing concern over Google’s initiatives to enhance Google Search with AI technology. Various news organizations have reported a decline in traffic attributable to Google’s AI summaries in search results, which compile information from diverse online sources to respond to Google Search user inquiries.
Efforts have been made to reach Google for commentary, and any updates will be provided as they become available.
