Users of Facebook And Instagram In Canada, they will not be able to watch media news, as Meta announced after Ottawa approved a bill that forces digital giants to pay for this content.

GoogleAnother of the people concerned is also considering applying the same measure.

The two giants of silicon Valley opposed the Canadian bill, which aims to support the local journalism sector, which has seen hundreds of publications close over the past decade.

Exciting news

“Exciting news! (No pun intended),” tweeted the Heritage Minister, Paul Rodriguezafter the bill was passed by the Senate, the last step before it becomes law.

Rodríguez said the decision to Aim The blocking of news content was unfortunate, but he promised to “defend Canadians against tech giants.”

His office said it met Facebook And Google this week and we expected further meetings to discuss the new law.

Last month, the Prime Minister, justin Trudeauhas sued Meta for experimentally blocking news content from some Canadian users, saying the company was “deeply irresponsible” in refusing to pay journalists for their work.

Google

Opposition to the bill, he said, was “misguided (and) dangerous to our democracyfor our economy.

In February, Google It also temporarily restricted access to information for Canadian users of its popular search engine.

The bill would require digital giants to conclude commercial agreements with Canadian media by news and the information shared on their platforms, subject to binding arbitration.

Australia

Australia had also accused the two companies, which dominate online advertising, of taking money from media outlets. communication using its content for free.

Big tech companies initially fiercely opposed the Australian legislation, fearing that would threaten their business models, but lawmakers easily approved it with a few amendments.