Google set to remove news links in Canada over online news law
Monday, 14 August 2023
OTTAWA, Aug 13 (AP): Google said on Saturday it will remove links to Canadian news on its platforms across Canada over a new law that will require digital giants to compensate media outlets for content they share or otherwise repurpose.
The tech giant said it will remove Canadian news links from Google News - a personalized aggregator service available by web or app that highlights local news - and from Google Discover, a feature on mobile phones that helps people find content.
Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez accused Google of trying to bully Canadians, but added that "big tech isn't biggr than Canada.""Big tech would rather spend money changing their platforms to block news from Canadians instead of paying a small share of the billions they make in advertising dollars," Rodriguez tweeted.
Google said it informed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government of its decision. It did not say exactly when it would begin to remove news, but indicated it would happen before the law takes effect by the end the year.