German regulator holds Google and Perplexity AI liable under media law
Germany's media regulator ZAK determined that Google's AI Overviews and Perplexity AI are subject to German media laws, following a Munich court finding Google liable for inaccurate information from its AI Overview feature. The regulator classified AI-generated summaries and chatbot responses as content created by the providers rather than third-party material display, and stated that the EU's Digital Services Act liability exemption does not apply.
What happened
Germany's media regulator ZAK, which represents the country's 14 state media authorities, determined on July 14, 2026 that Google's AI Overviews and Perplexity AI are subject to German media laws. A separate Munich court held that Google could be directly liable for false statements generated by its AI Overview feature, classifying AI-produced summaries as the company's own content rather than mere display of third-party information.
ZAK stated that AI-generated news summaries and chatbot responses constitute content created by the providers themselves rather than merely displaying third-party material. The regulator clarified that the EU's Digital Services Act liability exemption, which shields platforms from responsibility for illegal user-generated content, does not apply to these services.
Reported impact
According to ZAK, Google's AI Overviews are displayed prominently within search results, making traditional links less visible and reducing the value and visibility of third-party media content. Perplexity's chatbot influences the discoverability of news content when selecting and presenting sources and recommendations alongside AI-generated answers.
ZAK stated that search engines and chatbots like these could qualify as media intermediaries subject to rules designed to safeguard media plurality.
Index analysis
The ruling marks a significant shift in regulatory interpretation, classifying AI-generated summaries as original content rather than mere aggregation of third-party material, thereby removing liability protections previously available under the Digital Services Act.
Governance controls
ZAK Chairman Thorsten Schmiege said: 'AI search engines and chatbots are content providers, and we will consistently apply German media law to them from now on.' Google stated it planned to appeal the decision, arguing that AI-powered summaries enhance the search experience and help users discover new content.
Perplexity declined to comment on the decision but stated it complies with EU privacy rules under the GDPR and holds SOC 2 Type II security and privacy certification.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.