Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has started removing news content from its platforms in Canada following the enactment of legislation that requires tech companies to negotiate payments to news organizations for hosting their content. As a result, Canadian users will no longer be able to click on links to news articles shared on Facebook and Instagram. The changes began on Tuesday and will be rolled out gradually over the next few weeks, as confirmed by Meta spokesperson Andy Stone.

This move comes amid a broader global debate concerning the relationship between news organizations and social media companies, addressing the value of news content and who benefits from it. Google has also announced plans to remove news content from its platforms in Canada when the law takes effect, which could happen by December.

The Canadian legislation, known as Bill C-18, received final approval in June, aiming to support the sustainability of news organizations by regulating digital news intermediaries and enhancing fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace.

This legislative trend is not limited to Canada. In 2021, Australia passed a similar law, initially opposed by tech platforms, but later resulted in voluntary agreements with news outlets in the country. Similar proposals have emerged worldwide, alleging that the tech industry’s dominance in online advertising revenues has adversely affected local journalism.

Earlier, Meta had also threatened to remove news content from California due to a revenue-sharing bill, but the legislation was put on hold last month.

In response to the Canadian legislation, Meta asserted that it does not benefit unfairly from news content shared on its platforms; rather, news outlets voluntarily choose to share content on Facebook and Instagram to expand their audiences and improve their financial situation.

Despite the removal of news content from Meta’s platforms, Canadian users can still access news content by visiting news outlets’ websites directly or subscribing to their services and apps.

Culled from CNN