In a bold move, Meta Platforms has taken action to block news availability in Canada as a response to the Online News Act passed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government. The California-based company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, had previously warned about the consequences of this legislation, and it is now following through with its threat.

Rachel Curran, Meta Canada’s head of public policy, expressed the company’s concerns, emphasizing that the new law is built on an erroneous assumption. She stated that Meta does not unfairly benefit from news content shared on its platforms; rather, the opposite is true. Despite Meta’s transparency regarding its apprehensions, the Online News Act is set to come into effect by the end of the year.

The implementation of the news ban on Facebook and Instagram for Canadian users will occur gradually over the coming weeks. As a result of this ban:

• Canadian news publishers and broadcasters will no longer have their news links and content visible to users in Canada on these platforms.

• International news outlets can still post news links and content, but they will be inaccessible to people in Canada.
• Users in Canada will lose the ability to view or share any news content on Facebook and Instagram, including articles and audio-visual material from news outlets.

It’s essential to note that Meta’s services remain unchanged for users accessing the platforms from outside Canada. Moreover, the company highlights that Canadian residents can still access news online through direct visits to news websites, using mobile news applications, and subscribing to their preferred publishers.

In addressing the situation, Rachel Curran expressed Meta’s hope for the Canadian government to recognize the value the company already provides to the news industry. She encouraged policymakers to consider a response that upholds the principles of a free and open internet, supports diversity and innovation, and takes into account the interests of the entire Canadian media landscape.

As Meta stands firm on its decision, the debate around the impact of the Online News Act on digital platforms, news outlets, and Canadian users continues. Only time will tell how this move will shape the news landscape in Canada and influence future policy decisions in the ever-evolving realm of technology and media.