Meta considers blocking news content on its platform in Australia if the government mandates payment of licensing fees. This was revealed by Meta’s regional policy director, Mia Garlick, during a parliamentary hearing on Friday June 28, 2024.
Garlick stated, “All options are on the table” when asked about the possibility of preventing Australians from sharing news content to avoid these fees. She noted that there are numerous channels through which people can access news content.
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Meta is currently awaiting Canberra’s decision on whether to enforce a 2021 law that allows the government to set fees for U.S. tech giants to pay media outlets for links. Garlick’s comments mark the strongest indication yet that Meta might adopt a similar stance in Australia as it did in Canada in 2023 when facing analogous legislation.
Initially, Meta struck deals with Australian media firms, including News Corp (NWSA.O) and the Australian Broadcasting Corp, when the law was first implemented. However, the company has since announced that it will not renew these arrangements beyond 2024.
The responsibility now falls on Australia’s assistant treasurer to determine whether Facebook should be compelled to pay for news content. The assistant treasurer has mentioned that he is still gathering advice but suggested that Meta seems to respect the law only when it aligns with its interests.
Australia’s two largest free-to-air television broadcasters, Nine Entertainment (NEC.AX) and Seven West Media (SWM.AX), announced job cuts this week, citing revenue losses once their deals with Meta expire.
When questioned on Friday about whether blocking news on Facebook in Australia would be an attempt to bypass the law, Garlick asserted that such action would be in compliance with the law. She emphasized that Meta adheres to various laws, including tax, safety, and privacy regulations, but compliance with this particular law would appear different if fully enacted.
Garlick also defended Meta’s processes for addressing complaints from Australians who believe the company is spreading harmful misinformation or scams, though she admitted that all content moderation centers are located outside of Australia.
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In response to a lawsuit from Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest, who accused Meta of displaying cryptocurrency scam advertisements featuring his likeness, Garlick stated that the company has measures in place to detect and prevent scams but acknowledged the challenges involved.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young questioned how Meta could classify itself as an advertising business when “some ads sell lies.” Garlick replied, “We have policies, systems, and tools to do everything we can to prevent those ads.”watched.
