Google faces backlash over Search-AI restriction link

Google drew sharp criticism after announcing that schools restricting its AI tools would also lose student access to Google Search. The policy, tied to new classroom AI products including Gemini and Gemini in Classroom, prompted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to accuse Google of using monopoly power to force AI into public schools. Senator Bernie Sanders called it extortion, and former FTC chair Lina Khan said Google was coercing schools. Google responded by saying schools remain in control of AI settings, but critics noted the company failed to address why Search access depended on AI being enabled.