Saturday, February 20, 2021

Facebook Acts on Australia, and Reconsiders

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-media-facebook-idUSKBN2AK01S 


Last week Facebook followed through on a threat to Australia, after pressing forward with a bill to require tech companies to compensate news companies for linking their content on websites. While Google settled on a payment amount with several news sources, Facebook chose to block Australian users from viewing/sharing any news on the platform (global sources or local alike). 

Since blocking content in Australia, there has been a decrease in Facebook traffic (roughly 13%) which has caused Facebook to come to the negotiating table with Australia, while still opposing the bill from passing the Senate (it has already passed in the lower house). 

- Mason Meiring


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