Google AI opt-out leaves publishers stuck

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority ordered Google to give publishers an opt-out from AI Overviews, AI Mode, and AI summaries in Discover, plus clearer attribution and reporting. Google will roll the opt-out toggle globally via Search Console. But the system is opt-out by default, Google withholds AI-specific data, and implementation takes nine months. Former Bauer Media director Stuart Forrest called the theoretical right almost unusable in practice.