Australia is planning to introduce a precedent-free law worldwide requiring Google, Facebook and other technology companies to pay the media for their news content. Google reacted strongly to this, warning or withdrawing some services in Australia, including search engines.
Google is Australia’s largest search engine, and the Australian government says that Google basically does not have to face market competition in Australia.
The logic of the Australian government is that because technology platforms get customers from people who want to read the news, technology giants should pay “fair” fees to the workers of the news editorial department.
In addition, the Australian government believes that the troubled journalism industry needs financial support. According to data provided by the government, advertising revenue in print media in Australia has declined by 75% since 2005.
However, Google refused.
The BBC reported on the 22nd that Mel Silva, president of Google Australia, said at a Senate hearing on the 22nd that such a law simply “doesn’t work” and “if this becomes law, we will have no other realistic choice but to stop in Australia. Google Search Service”.
Mel Silva believes that if Google is paying for links and search results, it is inconsistent with the free flow sharing of information on the Internet or “the way the Internet works”.
Google confirmed last week that it blocked Australian news sites in search results from about 1% of local users, which is a test of the value of Australian news services.
Facebook also threatened last year that if the relevant bill was implemented, it would prevent Australian users from sharing news on Facebook. Facebook reiterated this gesture on Friday.
Facebook executive Simon Milner called Qu Dao, and Facebook has little commercial benefits from its platform’s news content.
Earlier this week, U.S. trade representatives also urged the Australian government to repeal laws that attempt to “significantly harm two American companies”.
However, on Thursday, Google agreed to pay French press and publishing institutions for news clips displayed in search results after French media discussed the requirements extended by copyright law.
Australian Prime Minister Morrison was also unwilling to be outdled by Google’s response, saying that Australia would not succumb to Google’s “threats”.
Morrison insisted that the Australian government is still committed to promoting the passage of these laws in Parliament this year.
Although Australia is far from Google’s largest market, some people still regard the proposed bill as a global experiment to test how the government regulates large technology companies.
The attitude of ordinary Australians to the confrontation on the Internet is confused and angry.
Some have been debating whether they can get information through other engines, while others don’t know whether Google will not use Gmail, Google Maps and Google Home services in the future if Google withdraws the search service – which Google has not yet made clear.
