A recent report suggests that Microsoft is considering restricting access to its search data for competing artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Microsoft has cautioned at least two customers that their access to Bing search index may have been viewed by unauthorized individuals, as per Bloomberg will be terminated if they continue to use it as a foundation for their AI chatbots. The Bing search index is a mapping of the internet, and Microsoft licenses it to search engines like Yahoo and DuckDuckGo. However, AI-powered chatbots have become increasingly popular, and some customers are using the index to fuel their AI chat tools. Although Bloomberg did not identify the customers facing index cut-off, it noted that companies like You.com, Neeva, and DuckDuckGo have launched AI-driven searches that may be using the Bing search index.
Citing anonymous sources, Bloomberg reports that Microsoft has informed at least two customers that using its Bing search index to feed their AI chatbots breaches the terms of their contract. Microsoft has launched its own AI-enhanced Bing search, and it claims that using its index violates the contract. In response, Microsoft spokesperson stated that they are in contact with non-compliant partners, and they will work with them to find a solution. Google is the only other company that indexes the internet, but it imposes restrictions that make it less appealing to other search engines. As a result, rival search engines use Microsoft's web search data. However, Microsoft's threat to terminate access to the index could have severe consequences for its customers' ability to maintain and ensure the accuracy of their AI chatbots.
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Microsoft has reportedly informed at least two of its search engine competitors that their access to its Bing search index will be terminated if they continue to use it as the foundation for their AI chatbots. Microsoft licenses its search index to companies such as DuckDuckGo and Yahoo as a tool for web search. Recently, there has been a rise in the use of AI chatbots, with some customers opting to feed their tools with data from the index. However, Microsoft has taken issue with this, as it claims that using Bing's index for AI chatbots breaches the terms of their agreement. Although Bloomberg did not reveal the names of the companies threatened with the cut-off, it did mention that You.com and Neeva, both Microsoft clients, recently launched AI-fuelled searches, namely You Chat and Neeva AI, respectively. Google is the only other company that indexes the internet, but it has certain limitations that make it less desirable than Microsoft to other search engines. The cost of indexing the whole web is high, as it requires servers and continuous digging to keep the index up to date. Microsoft's threat to terminate access could potentially have serious consequences for its clients' ability to maintain and ensure the accuracy of their AI chatbots. Microsoft has stated that it will continue to work with partners who are not in compliance and will provide any necessary information to find a way forward.
