Meta: If forced to pay licensing fees, Facebook may block news content in Australia
The Australian government has requested Facebook to pay licensing fees to media channels, otherwise Meta will consider blocking all news content on its platform. Meta is awaiting a legal decision in 2021 regarding this fee. Previously, Meta has decided not to renew contracts with Australian publishers after 2024, nor sign new commercial agreements. This decision is consistent with Meta's decision to implement similar laws in Canada. Representatives from Google, TikTok, and Snap also participated in the relevant hearing. The investigation will release recommendations by November 18th or earlier
According to Zhitong Finance, if the Australian government forces Facebook to pay licensing fees for displaying links to media channels, the social media platform's parent company Meta (META.US) will consider blocking all news content from Facebook, consistent with its decision to implement similar laws in Canada.
During a parliamentary hearing on Friday, when asked whether the company would prevent sharing news content in Australia to avoid paying fees, Meta's regional policy director Mia Garlick said: "All options are on the table. People can get news content from many sources."
She said Meta is awaiting a decision on the law regarding fees that have not yet been implemented in 2021. She added, "Yes, to comply with the law, we do need to stop sharing news from mainstream media." Previously, Meta decided not to renew contracts with Australian publishers after 2024 and not to sign new commercial agreements for traditional news content.
Garlick made the above remarks at the second public hearing of the investigation, where representatives from Google (GOOGL.US), TikTok, and Snap also attended. The investigation is expected to release recommendations by November 18th or earlier. Google stated that once existing contracts expire, it will sign new agreements with local media publishers