- Meta is temporarily blocking some Canadian users from accessing news content on its platforms as part of a test that is expected to last through the end of June. The move is in response to a proposed bill that would require tech giants to pay publishers for linking to or repurposing their content online.
- The temporary block will affect one to 5% of Meta’s 24 million Canadian users, with the number of those impacted fluctuating throughout the test. Meta said it is prepared to permanently block news content on its platforms for Canadians if the bill passes.
- Legacy media and broadcasters have praised the Online News Act bill, which promises to “enhance fairness” in the digital news marketplace and help bring in more money for shrinking newsrooms. Tech giants like Meta and Google have been blamed in the past for disrupting and dominating the advertising industry, eclipsing smaller, traditional players.
In a recent development, some Canadians have reported experiencing blockage of news content on Instagram and Facebook due to Meta tests. The social media giant recently announced its decision to rebrand itself as Meta and is currently testing new algorithms and features on its platforms.
However, numerous users in Canada have complained about not being able to access news posts and updates on their Instagram and Facebook feeds. It is believed that the ongoing tests conducted by Meta may have inadvertently caused these issues, effectively blocking certain news content for users in Canada.
The issue has sparked concerns among Canadian media and press organizations, who have expressed their worry over potential censorship of news content on social media platforms. Many have called for transparency in Meta’s testing process and for greater communication with users when such tests are being conducted.
While Meta has yet to comment on the specific issue of news content blockage in Canada, it has stated that it is working on improving its algorithms to provide better user experiences. However, the company’s communication with users regarding new test features and algorithms has been called into question, especially as users continue to report issues with accessing certain types of content.
This latest development highlights the growing importance of social media platforms as a means of accessing news, particularly in light of the pandemic. As such, concerns about censorship and access to information are likely to remain at the forefront of public discourse, prompting Meta to reassess its approach to testing and feature deployment on its platforms.