- Google has announced that schools opting out of its artificial intelligence tools for student accounts will also lose access to Google Search.
- Under the updated policy, access to both Google Search and AI features like Gemini will be disabled by default for K-12 students until administrators manually enable them.
- The decision follows widespread backlash from educators, parents and experts after Google automatically enabled its Gemini chatbot for many students in August.
- Former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan criticised the move, accusing Google of using its search monopoly to force schools into accepting AI technology.
- Children's advocacy groups have urged schools to reject Google's AI features and switch to privacy-protective alternative search engines.
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