Meta (Facebook) will test the blocking of articles in Canada to challenge a law
Meta announces the upcoming implementation of a test which will consist of blocking press articles on Facebook and Instagram. The group threatens to do so permanently in order to challenge Bill C-18.
A blocking of articles in Canada
Bill C-18 seeks to force platforms such as Meta and Google to negotiate with Canadian news publishers to compensate them for their content. But Facebook’s parent company said it would rather block news content in the country altogether than be forced to pay media outlets.
The group noted :
As mentioned, if Bill C-18 — the Online News Act — is passed, content shared by news media, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to Facebook and Instagram users in Canada. As we prepare to comply with the legislation, today we are announcing the launch on both platforms of tests that will prevent certain users and publishers from viewing and sharing news content in Canada.
During the test period, which will last several weeks, a small proportion of Canadian users will be notified if they attempt to share content from the articles. Meta adds:
News media will still have access to their accounts and pages, and will still be able to post links and news content; however, some content may not be viewed in Canada. News media will continue to have access to Meta Business Suite as well as advertising tools. Users registered for the tests will be able to resort to a review procedure if they believe that they fall outside the scope of the law.
A similar case in Australia
The Meta tests come just over two years after Australia completely blocked news content in response to similar legislation. But the blocking has been criticized for its chaotic implementation, with an overly broad approach that has affected some government agencies and nonprofits, and which was actually a heavy-handed negotiation tactic. Meta later reversed the block after the legislation was amended. The law was passed a little later.
