Once the Online News Act, a piece of legislation that was adopted by the parliament and requires internet firms to pay news publishers, is put into effect, Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) plans to stop allowing users in Canada access to news on Facebook and Instagram.
After getting the governor general’s royal assent, the legislation will become a law that was adopted by the Senate’s upper chamber.
Facebook Will Stop Providing News in Canada
Similar to a ground-breaking bill established in Australia in 2021, the Online News Act proposes regulations to compel platforms like Facebook and Google to create business relationships and compensate news publishers for their material. The recommendations, according to American technology corporations, are unfeasible for their industries.
Google has maintained that the statute in Canada is more expansive than those in Australia and Europe since it charges for links to news stories that appear in search results and can be applied to sources that do not create news.
- Meta Platforms to stop Canadian news access on Facebook and Instagram.
- Online News Act suggests regulations for platforms to compensate publishers.
- Internet giant proposes a bill requiring news companies for funding.
The internet search juggernaut suggested that the bill be changed to stipulate that only companies who produce news and uphold journalistic standards are eligible and to make the presenting of news information the foundation for funding.
A Google representative stated that the measure is still “unworkable” and that the corporation is scrambling to find a solution with the government.
The Canadian federal government has resisted calls for revisions, with Justin Trudeau, the prime minister, blaming Meta and Google for deploying “bullying tactics” in their opposition to the law. After the law is put into effect, the government will start a regulatory and implementation procedure, according to Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez.
This week, the heritage ministry met with representatives from Facebook and Google, and it is looking forward to additional conversations. After the bill’s passage in the Senate, News Media Alliance President Danielle Coffey said the Canadian Parliament should be commended for opposing Big Tech.
