Meta To Test Limiting News On Facebook, Instagram In Canada: Report

Earlier in March, Meta had issued a warning stating that it would cease the availability of news content on its platforms for Canadian users.

The motivation behind Meta's tests is a response to Canada's proposed "Online News Act".

Meta Platforms has announced that it will conduct tests on its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, in Canada, as reported by Reuters. These tests will involve limiting certain users and publishers from accessing and sharing specific news content. The duration of the testing period is expected to last for several weeks. Meta has clarified that a small percentage of Canadian users participating in the tests will be notified if they try to share news content during this period.

The motivation behind these tests is a response to Canada's proposed "Online News Act," which was introduced in April of the previous year. This legislation aims to compel platforms like Meta and Google's parent company, Alphabet, to engage in negotiations for commercial agreements and compensate Canadian news publishers for their content.

Earlier in March, Meta had issued a warning stating that it would cease the availability of news content on its platforms for Canadian users if the proposed bill were to be enacted in its current form.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, the individual responsible for introducing the bill, expressed strong disapproval of the tests conducted by Meta. He deemed them "unacceptable" and criticized Meta's approach, stating that when a large tech company resorts to threats by saying, "If you don't do this or that, then I'm pulling the plug," it is an unwarranted action. Rodriguez emphasized that he has never been swayed by threats and has always acted independently.

It is worth noting that Google had previously implemented similar tests earlier this year, temporarily blocking news content for select Canadian users. This served as a trial run to assess potential responses to the proposed online news bill.

Meta announced on Wednesday that it would remove news content in California if the state government passed legislation mandating tech companies to pay publishers, as reported by Reuters. The proposed California Journalism Preservation Act aims to combat the decline of the local news sector by requiring online platforms to pay a "journalism usage fee" to news providers whose work is featured in their services.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone criticised the payment structure, labelling it a "slush fund." He further argued that the bill would primarily benefit "big, out-of-state media companies" while disguising its intention to support California publishers.