Google tests blocking news content in Canada in response to the Internet News Act

To comply with Canada's Internet News Law, Google has just begun testing measures that will prevent Canadian users from accessing news information. Under Bill C-18, social media companies like Google would have to bargain with news publishers and pay for their content. Google launched tests to ban online news items for some Canadian users in accordance with Canada's Internet News Law. This will only have an effect on 4% of Canadian users, according to a TechCrunch report, and will reduce the visibility of both domestic and foreign news, impacting all kinds of news material. According to House of Commons Bill C-18, platforms must establish contracts that compensate news publishers for their material. Last April, the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau unveiled this, which outlined regulations requiring platforms to compensate content providers. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image credit- dtnext[/caption] The crisis-stricken news publishers would receive adequate compensation, according to Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez. This was based on legislation similar to those in Australia. He then tweeted on Google about his dissatisfaction, stating that Canadians won't be alarmed by these tests. The business asserted that hundreds of tests are conducted annually to evaluate prospective modifications to Search and its other services. The bill, according to Sabrina Germeemia, vice president and country managing director of Google Canada, could affect how easily people can use the internet. She continued, "Requiring payment for links runs the risk of limiting Canadians' access to the information they need." [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Image credit- The Economic Times[/caption] According to Canadian news outlet Gizmodo, Google could wind up paying millions of dollars as a result of this legislation. According to a pricing estimate analysis published by Canada's Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Google, and Facebook would pay news publishers about $242.99 per year. By doing this, these funds would pay for about 30% of the total editorial expenses incurred by publishers. Rodriguez continued by saying that Canadian MPs are dedicated to exerting pressure on the world's largest internet companies to be open and accountable. Also read: Apple Watch Can Measure Stress Level Accurately: Study According to the reports, the Canadian news media sector has requested stronger regulation of digital firms from the government in an effort to make up for the financial losses the sector has incurred as a result of Facebook and Google's growth in the advertising market share. Due to low profits, more than 450 news organizations in Canada have already shut down. These closures total 64 in just the last two years.