Meta tests limiting news in Canada in response to proposed law
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Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) is responding to proposed Canadian legislation by testing the limiting of access to news on its apps in the country.
Canada's proposed "Online News Act" was introduced last year and would compel online platforms to negotiate deals whereby they would pay Canadian publishers for their news.
That's resulted in a more contentious relationship with Meta in the country. Meta President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg had been set to speak earlier this month at a hearing of the Canada Heritage Committee titled "The Response of Companies in the Information Technology Sector to Bill C-18."
Meta said that on hearing the title of the panel was changed to "Tech Giantsâ Current and Ongoing Use of Intimidation and Subversion Tactics to Evade Regulation in Canada and Across the World," it withdrew from attending.
A statement from Clegg read: "Ultimately, this legislation puts Meta in an invidious position. In order to comply, we have to either operate in a flawed and unfair regulatory environment, or we have to end the availability of news content in Canada. With a heavy heart we choose the latter."
Now the company is implementing randomized tests over several weeks to limit viewing and sharing of certain news content in Canada, to prepare for compliance.
"While these product tests are temporary, we intend to end the availability of news content in Canada permanently following the passage of Bill C-18," Meta said.