Canadian Social Media Landscape Changes as Meta Removes News Content from Facebook and Instagram
Alison Anderson
25 Jun 2023
n a landmark move, Meta has announced its intention to withdraw news content from its Facebook and Instagram platforms in Canada. This decision comes as a direct response to the newly approved legislation called the Online News Act (Bill C-18), which requires internet giants to pay news publishers for sharing or linking their content. The withdrawal of news will affect all users in Canada and is sure to have a significant impact on the nation's social media landscape.
This move by Meta has been anticipated since the legislation's introduction in 2021. Previously, the company threatened to block the sharing of Canadian news content, urging the government to amend the bill. Despite these warnings, the Senate approved the legislation, and Meta made good on its threats. Starting earlier this month, Facebook and Instagram began blocking news content for a portion of Canadian users, setting the stage for the complete removal of news available in the country.
Opposition to Meta's decision has been swift, with Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez taking to Twitter to address the matter. In his tweet, he emphasized that Facebook has no obligations under the act presently and that the government will engage in regulatory and implementation processes. He also stated that if the government cannot stand up for Canadians against tech giants, nobody will. However, Meta's staunch stance on the issue signals that it may take more than government pushback to resolve the situation.
But Meta is not alone in its dissatisfaction with the Online News Act. Google, too, has made efforts to protest the legislation, with test runs blocking access to news content for some Canadian users. In a statement, Google expressed its disappointment in the bill's passing into law without addressing the company's concerns. The search giant is now urgently seeking a solution, working with the government to find a path forward that benefits both the tech industry and Canadian news publishers.
The Canadian scenario is reminiscent of Australia's 2021 legislation that led Meta to pull news content from the country temporarily. However, the Australian government amended the law, providing the platform with more time to negotiate with publishers, leading to the restoration of news content. Whether a similar resolution will occur in Canada remains to be seen. But for now, it is evident that the Canadian social media landscape is in for some significant changes as Meta's decision to remove news from Facebook and Instagram takes full effect.