Australia has new 'initiative' to force Big Tech to pay for news

(CLO) The Australian government is planning to introduce new regulations that will force Big Tech companies to pay for news organizations' content, Australian Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones announced on December 12.

Described as a “news bargaining initiative,” the move puts pressure on global tech giants like Facebook-owner Meta and Google to pay for the use of content from Australian news publishers. Otherwise, they could face millions of dollars in fines to continue operating in the country.

"The News Bargaining Initiative will provide financial incentives to encourage agreements between digital platforms and news media businesses in Australia," Mr Jones told a press conference.

He said platforms with revenues exceeding $250 million in Australia, such as major social networks and search engines, would be affected by the rules, and that the fee would be offset against any voluntary commercial agreements between platforms and media companies.

Sydney Harbour at Circular Quay, Sydney, Australia. Photo: Reuters

In 2021, Australia enacted a law requiring Big Tech like Google and Meta to pay news publishers for links on their platforms that help attract readers and generate advertising revenue.

Following Mr Jones's new announcement, a Meta spokesperson expressed disagreement: "We believe the current law is problematic... This proposal does not reflect the way our platform actually operates."

A Meta spokesperson stressed that most users do not come to the platform to find news content, and publishers voluntarily choose to post content on the social media platform because they receive value from doing so.

Meta, which has contracts with several Australian media companies including News Corp and Australian Broadcasting Corp, has announced it will not renew those deals after 2024.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/uc-co-sang-kien-moi-nham-buoc-cac-big-tech-phai-tra-tien-cho-tin-tuc-post325261.html