Aim reported this Thursday that they were temporarily blocking certain users’ access to Canada For news content In instagram and Facebookin a trial they say will last until the end of June.

This measure was generated after a similar determination adopted by Google In early 2023, the blocks come in response to a bill that would force tech giants to pay publishers to link or reuse their content across the internet.

It’s the so-called Bill C-18, of Internet Newsis currently being studied in the Canadian Senate and could be approved this month.

Meta also said he was prepared to permanently block news content on Facebook and Instagram for Canadians if the bill passes.

Paul Rodriguez, Canadian Minister of Heritagenoted that Meta’s decision was “disappointing”, stating that they would not be intimidated by these tactics.

Rachel Curanhead of public policy at Meta Canada, explained The temporary block will affect between 1% and 5% of its 24 million users and the number of people affected will vary throughout the test.

Randomly selected individuals will not be able to view or share news content in Canada or on Instagram or Facebook, this measure could apply to news links to articles, reels and stories.

International news companies, such as the BBC or the New York Times, could also have their content blocked in the country during the trial period if they are randomly selected.

Meta pointed out that it randomly selects news publishers who will be notified that certain users in said country will not be able to view or share their news content throughout the test. Internet users will be able to continue to access their accounts, pages, commercial suites and advertisements.

With information from AP