Google to Comply with Canadian Legislation by Removing News Links
In response to Canada’s recently implemented Bill C-18, also known as the Online News Act, Google has joined Meta in removing news content. The new law mandates that tech companies must engage in negotiations with publishers to provide compensation for linked material. As a result, Google has announced its decision to remove links to Canadian news stories from its search, News, and Discover services within the country. Additionally, Google will cease operating its News Showcase in Canada once Bill C-18 becomes effective in six months.
Cris Turner, Google’s vice-president of government affairs, claims that C-18 remains “dead legislation” and that Canada’s soon-to-be law is unduly harsh. For example, the European Union allows free use of links and short excerpts, while the Czech Republic’s stricter interpretation of the EU still allowed headlines and links. In Australia, where some online services are required by law to pay for news, Google has negotiated deals that keep its news features available and avoid falling under the law’s requirements.
The company says it believes a “vibrant journalism industry” is crucial, and has put forward policy ideas it believes will help. These include consulting experts, investing in newsroom progress and supporting traditional news outlets as they transition to digital. The approach dictated by C-18 is said to lead to “uncertainty” of product strategy and “unlimited” financial penalties.
The move comes just days after Meta announced it was removing access to all news content from Facebook and Instagram in Canada. When it opposed similar moves in Australia and New Zealand, it argued that such legislation unfairly allows the government to decide who must pay and how much publishers are paid.
Like Meta, Google uses the threat of news blocking as a bargaining tool. Turner says the company still intends to “engage in the regulatory process” and wants the government to develop a “viable way forward.” The technology company is hoping for at least a partial change of heart, simply put.
This is a developing story. Check for updates.
