The legislation calls for tech giants to pay for journalistic content shared on networks. (Photo: reproduction)

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said it would block access to news in Canada after the country’s Senate passed the Online News Act, which sees ‘big tech’ pay the media for the content they share on their platforms.

Alphabet, owner of Google, will also have to negotiate with media companies. According to The Associated Press, Meta did not provide details on the timing of the change, but said it would remove local news from its platforms before the law takes effect in six months.

“We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, which has been passed by Parliament, content from news outlets, including news editors and broadcasters, will no longer be available. for people accessing our platforms in Canada,” confirmed Lisa Laventure, Meta’s Head of Communications in Canada.

Google, which even tested blocking access to information for some Canadian users before the law was passed, told The Verge website it was now looking to talk to the government about a possible solution.

So far, Canada’s federal government has rejected suggestions to make changes, according to Reuters.

Since 2008, more than 450 news sites have shut down in Canada as tech giants gain more and more space, which also prompted the creation of the law, according to Agence France Presse.

“They [as empresas de mídia social] can play an important role in supporting the production of credible news and information,” the Canadian Parliament said during the discussions.