In Canada, Facebook and Instagram will block access to news, Meta said in response to a recently passed law that requires web giants to pay to stream local media content.

In a press release, Meta affirms What:

We confirm today that we will end access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada before the coming into force of the Online News Act (Bill C-18).

We have repeatedly stated that in order to comply with Bill C-18, which is being passed by Parliament today, content shared by news outlets, including publishers and newscasters, would be more accessible to Facebook and Instagram users in Canada. .

Changes to access to news content will no longer impact Meta’s products and services in Canada. We want to reassure the millions of Canadians who use our platforms that they can always stay connected with friends and family, grow their businesses and support their communities.

The new law obliges digital giants to enter into fair commercial agreements with local media for publications shared on their platforms, or risk resorting to compulsory arbitration.

In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized Meta for blocking some Canadians from accessing information online during the test, saying the company was “deeply irresponsible and out of touch” by refusing to pay journalists for their work. . His opposition to the bill, he says, is “misguided (and) dangerous to our democracy and our economy”.

Facebook with cases in Australia and Europe

The new law, strongly criticized by Meta and Google, aims to support the information sector in Canada which, according to the minister, is “in crisis”. According to the ministry, more than 450 Canadian news outlets have closed since 2008.

This bill is inspired by the one that was adopted in 2021 by Australia, the first of its kind in the world. The text passed easily after Facebook and Google were able to reach agreements to avoid binding arbitration.

Faced with the same situation, the European Union introduced in 2019 a related right which should allow press publishers to be remunerated for the content used by online platforms. After reluctantly, Google signed deals with newspapers in November, a world first.

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