Google threatens to block Australians over media law

Google threatened Friday to block Australians from using its search service unless the government changed landmark legislation to make the internet giant pay news outlets for their content.

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By Australian law, which is aimed at protecting democracy's fourth estate, tech giants must pay local media organisations to host news content or face millions of dollars in fines. Facebook and Google have expressed strong opposition to the legislation, backed by the US government and internet architects such as Tim Berners-Lee. PHOTO: GOOGLE

2021-01-22 08:59:37

Google threatened Friday to block Australians from using its search service unless the government changed landmark legislation to make the internet giant pay news outlets for their content.

Google Australia managing director Mel Silva warned a Senate committee in Canberra that the world-first media law was "unworkable" and would undermine the functioning of the internet.

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