Google has threatened to pull their site out of Australia if the country passes a specific law. Facebook is also threatening to change users’ news feeds to stop having news if the code is passed. In short, the tech giants would be forced to negotiate with individual news companies in exchange for using their content. An independent arbitrator would be assigned to “ultimately decide the payment amount if no agreement can be reached”. So brain trust at Google decided that they would eventually withdraw the service altogether rather than face the prospect of shelling out money. It’s a dire situation because of its relative proximity to other discussions of how much power these companies have over their users. But as it stands, the company has not indicated that it plans to move. Australia, in turn, is fine with both outcomes and draws a line in the sand.
What are Australia’s New Laws? 👇
Australia introduces laws requiring tech giants like Google and Facebook to negotiate payments with local publishers and broadcasters for news content pic.twitter.com/8BiLa1fbFQ– Reuters (@Reuters) January 22, 2021
The Guardian reported on the case and received comment. “The principle of unlimited links between websites is fundamental to search and coupled with the uncontrollable financial and operational risk if this version of the code were to become law, it would leave us with no choice but to no longer make Google Search available in Australia Withdrawing our services from Australia is the last thing Google wants to happen, especially if there is another way forward, ”said Mel Silva, Google’s general manager in Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was not about to be lectured by Google. He responded to this statement by putting his foot on the ground. Morrison wanted to make it clear that Australia would not be bullied by any of the big tech giants.
He explained: ‘Let me be clear. Australia makes our rules for things to do in Australia. That has been done in our parliament. It’s been done by our government. And this is how it works here in Australia and people who want to work with it, in Australia, you are very welcome. But we don’t respond to threats. “
Do you think Google has a point? Or is Australia right? Let us know in the comments!