Tech giants take stand: Google and Meta remove Canadian news amid paying publishers dispute

California, June 30: California-based tech giant Google has announced its decision to remove Canadian news content from its search, news, and discover products in response to a recently passed bill in Canada. The bill, known as Bill C-18-Online News Act, mandates online platforms to pay news publishers. Google has deemed the legislation "unworkable" and has informed the Canadian government that it will have to remove links to Canadian news from its products once the law takes effect.

Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google & Alphabet, expressed disappointment over the situation and emphasized the importance of transparency with Canadian publishers and users. The contentious C-18 legislation passed Parliament last week and has faced criticism from tech giants like Google and Meta, who argue that it imposes an unfair tax on links.

Despite the decision to remove Canadian news from its platforms, Google has highlighted its support for Canadian journalism. The company revealed that it linked to Canadian news publications over 3.6 billion times last year, generating referral traffic valued at approximately USD 250 million CAD annually. Google emphasized its role in helping publishers monetise their content through ads and new subscriptions.

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Google had previously shared its concerns about the unworkable nature of the C-18 legislation, drawing from its experiences in other countries. While discussions with the Canadian government took place regarding critical issues, such as financial expectations and potential exemptions, Google expressed dissatisfaction with the level of certainty provided in resolving structural issues with the legislation.

The announcement from Google comes shortly after Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) revealed its plan to end access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all Canadian users in response to the same legislation. Both tech giants have expressed concerns about the impact of forced payment for links and uncapped financial liability.

As the Online News Act approaches implementation, the implications of these decisions by Google and Meta on news availability in Canada remain to be seen.

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