Two German courts now hold Google liable for what its AI overviews say
- Who
- Aachen Regional Court
- What
- barred Google from spreading three false text variants generated by AI Mode
- When
- Quote
In a decision dated September 24, 2026, the Aachen Regional Court barred Google from spreading certain false statements and explicitly relied on the Munich ruling's reasoning.
What happened
Two German courts have treated Google’s AI search answers as the company’s own statements, making Google responsible for false claims they contain. Google settled the Munich case before an appeal decision; Aachen subsequently relied on Munich’s reasoning to prohibit fabricated allegations about a physician in AI Mode. The Aachen injunction is not final and can be challenged, with violations carrying fines of up to 250,000 euros each.
Why it matters
The distinction between search references and Google’s own statements explains why liability for fabricated AI answers could extend into broader questions about publishers’ claims.
The story so far
Germany’s Aachen Regional Court barred Google from spreading three false text variants about a physician generated by AI Mode, treating the answers as Google’s own statements. The injunction is not final: Google can challenge it, and violations carry fines of up to 250,000 euros each. Aachen relied on reasoning from an earlier Munich ruling that also held Google responsible for false claims in its AI search answers. Google settled the Munich case before an appeal decision. The two courts’ approach makes Google responsible for the statements its AI answers contain.
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