AI news: Meta Stands Firm on Blocking News Content in Canada Despite New Legislation
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reiterated its stance on blocking news content in Canada, despite the Canadian government's efforts to clarify new legislation that will compel dominant tech companies to pay news outlets for the use of their content. The law, known as the Online News Act, is scheduled to take effect in January 2024. In response to its passage, Meta initiated the blocking of news content for users on its platforms in Canada last month. Meta asserts that the law is based on an incorrect assertion that the company unfairly benefits from news content shared on its platforms, and as such, the proposed regulations will not affect its decision to restrict news availability in Canada. Advocates in favor of the legislation argue that platforms like Facebook have profited from news articles to boost their own ad revenue, while the media organizations producing the content have not received adequate compensation. The Online News Act was modeled after a