Meta implements News content ban on Facebook and Instagram in Canada in response to Online News Act

Facebook and Instagram, owned by Meta, have implemented a news content ban in Canada. The move is a reaction to the Online News Act, passed by the Canadian Parliament in June 2023, which Meta has openly criticized. From August 1, Canadian users can no longer view news-related content on these platforms due to the Act, also known as Bill C-18, which seeks to establish a fair revenue sharing model between digital platforms and news publishers by requiring the former to pay for traffic and profits derived from news content.

Bill C-18 is similar to laws in Australia and California which also aim to balance revenue distribution between tech companies and news publishers. However, Meta has contested the law's basis, countering that it does not disproportionately benefit from news content. Instead of negotiating with Canadian authorities, Meta has opted to adhere to the new law by blocking news content in Canada, a decision that greatly affects local newsrooms that rely on Meta's platforms for content distribution, leading to decreased visibility and potential financial losses.

Meta's decision underscores the ongoing conflict between tech giants and governments, with the crux of the issue being the debate over revenue sharing and the impact of digital platforms on traditional news models. Google is facing a similar situation, with expectations that it will soon exclude news from search results in Canada in response to the new legislation.