Google blocks news content for some Canadians
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Alphabet's Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) (GOOGL) has confirmed that it is conducting tests by blocking access to news content for some of its Canadian users. These will affect less than 4% of randomly chosen users in Canada, though the company notes that it runs thousands of test each year to assess changes to its search engine.
This time around, the test run is a potential response to the Canadian government's online news bill. Known as C-18, the measure lays out rules to force platforms like Meta's Facebook (META) and Google (GOOG) (GOOGL) to negotiate commercial deals and pay news publishers for their content.
"We've been fully transparent about our concern that C-18 is overly broad and, if unchanged, could impact products Canadians use and rely on every day," said a Google (GOOG) (GOOGL) representative, in an emailed statement. "We remain committed to supporting a sustainable future for news in Canada and offering solutions that fix Bill C-18."
The legislation is estimated to generate revenue of about $242M a year for media outlets, with broadcasters in line to receive three-quarters of the amount. 
Google (GOOG) (GOOGL) remains concerned that more countries could follow Canada's lead. Claudia Roth, Germanyâs minister of state for culture, had earlier commented that she was closely watching Canada's initiatives. "I believe that we can learn a lot from that," she said.
A similar Australian law initiated in March 2021 after talks with Big Tech firms led to a brief shutdown of Facebook (META) news feeds in the country. Over in the U.S. the Biden administration has expressed concern that the bills could discriminate against American businesses, raising the prospect of a trade challenge.
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