Meta Platforms Inc, the parent company of Facebook, has announced that it will no longer provide news content on its platforms for Canadians if the Online News Act is passed in its current form. The bill, which was introduced in April last year, requires companies like Meta and Google to negotiate commercial agreements and compensate news publishers for their content.
According to a spokesperson from Meta, being compelled to pay for links or content that they did not post and that are not the primary reason for the majority of users to visit their platforms is not sustainable or workable. Meta's decision follows Google's recent trial of limited news censorship in response to the bill.
Canada's news media industry has requested more regulation of tech companies to help them recover from the financial losses they have suffered as tech giants like Google and Meta have gained greater market share of advertising.
The Department of Canadian Heritage has not yet commented on Meta's announcement.
