Meta Platforms has initiated the process of discontinuing access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada, as stated on Tuesday, in response to legislation that requires internet giants to compensate news publishers.
The Canadian parliament has passed the Online News Act, which mandates platforms like Google parent Alphabet and Meta to engage in commercial negotiations with Canadian news publishers for their content.
“News outlets willingly share content on Facebook and Instagram to expand their audiences and improve their financial situation,” said Rachel Curran, Meta’s head of public policy in Canada. “However, we are aware that our platform users do not rely on us for news.”
The office of Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, responsible for the government’s interactions with Meta, has not yet responded to a comment request.
Both Meta and Google announced in June that they would block access to news on their platforms in Canada as part of a campaign against the law, which aligns with the global trend of making tech companies pay for news.
Canada’s legislation is similar to a groundbreaking law passed by Australia in 2021, which prompted Google and Facebook to threaten the reduction of their services.
Article from www.aljazeera.com