Google has announced plans to halt its news-related services in Canada due to the newly enacted Online News Act, known as Bill C-18.
In a blog post, Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google & Alphabet, criticized the legislation for creating financial uncertainty and disrupting the way online search engines operate.
Bill C-18 mandates that certain tech companies pay for showcasing links to news content, a service typically provided free of charge. Google has argued against this law for over a year, claiming that it poses a threat to journalism in Canada and could trigger significant changes to its products.
As a result of the legislation, Google will remove links to Canadian news from its Search, News, and Discover products once the law is enacted. The company also stated that the law would make it impossible to continue offering its Google News Showcase product in Canada.
Despite Google’s willingness to contribute more to Canadian journalism – it currently supports over 150 news publications across Canada through its Google News Showcase program – the company insists that Bill C-18, also dubbed the “link tax,” is unfeasible.
Last year, Google linked to Canadian news publications more than 3.6 billion times for free, contributing an estimated CAD $250 million in referral traffic to these publications.
Google has actively participated in discussions with the Canadian government since the introduction of Bill C-18, aiming to make the law more manageable for both platforms and publishers. However, none of the company’s suggested amendments were accepted. Google even endorsed an alternative model, an independent fund supported by both platforms and the government to aid Canadian journalism, a model that has proven successful elsewhere.
The tech giant had sought clarity on the financial expectations for linking to news and a specific path towards exemption based on its support programs and commercial agreements with publishers. Although the government acknowledged Google’s concerns, the company remains unsatisfied with the lack of certainty offered about the upcoming regulatory process.
Google plans to participate in the regulatory process and remains committed to transparency as the situation evolves. However, unless the government outlines a feasible path forward, Google warns that Bill C-18 could restrict Canadians’ ability to find news online, limit journalists’ reach to their audiences, and reduce valuable free web traffic to Canadian publishers.
The move by Google follows Meta’s similar decision to halt news sharing on Facebook and Instagram when Bill C-18 goes live.
I can’t tell you how bad Bill C-18 is for small independent publishers like us, at a time when the economy is already in tatters. This will affect us as our stories won’t be discovered by Google services. You can help support us by considering the use of our Amazon link when you shop online (add to your bookmarks), or you can also buy me a coffee here.
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Meh. I recall you taking joy when gab got pulled. Cant say I feel bad for you.
lol mad at the government instead of the private corporation trying to bully the countries elected leaders? I get it will be hard on the site but that’s Google’s fault and not Canada’s.
Exactly! These platforms’ attempt to hold Canadian internet users hostage over our country’s legislative decisions is exactly why governments around the world are coming to view Meta, Google, etc. as being too powerful and in serious need of regulation.
I am on the fence on this one. On one hand I disagree with the law in its current form as I believe many Canadians who would dig into it would. It is the rich paying the rich… and there is clearly so scratch my back I scratch yours going on here. BUT Meta and Google, 2 of the richest compagnies in the world holding their users hostage to bully the change is unacceptable. Something has to give….
I applause, google & Facebook doing this
These most news outlets are owned by Belle and Rogers. why would the Google and Facebook have to pay them and the government, mouth peace CBC
Corse Media ownership
– Global news
BELL ownership
– CP 24
– CTV
– TSN
– Virgin radio
– CHUM RADIO
ROGERS ownership
– CITY TV
– ALL 680 NEWS Radio
– KISS 92
Right, so Canadian companies own Canadian companies… right. That’s such a big problem.
Canadian companies cannot survive without government intervention. That’s why Canada is a close market it’s monopoly everywhere if in every sector Banks, Dairy Telecom Media. If you support monopoly that’s opinion i dont.
Half those news outlet. Owned by them Monopoly at finest.
Don’t forget sports team is owned by Rogers and Bell, (Toronto Raptors, Maple Leafs & Blue Jays) 55% ownership these cartels carrier
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but Canadian companies also pay Canadians a wage. I care about that.
I may be in the minority here but this is how I see it.
If links are posted on FB or searched through Google, etc and you are directed to a news companies site, shouldn’t the news companies be happy that they are gaining traffic to their sites for more eyes to see? Wouldn’t it be prudent for these news companies to sell advertising based on clicks to their site?
If you are a small business, you have to do a lot of work to drive traffic to your website or content and in some instances you have to pay to promote your content… These companies are getting this exposure at no cost to them and unfortunately, their links will be replaced by others.
You’re not in minority, every rational Canadian (aka not brainwashed by CBC propaganda) sees things the same way you do.
I bet 90% of the zealots don’t even understand that FB and Google ( let me be clear, I have NO love and respect for either) just allow LINKS to be posted. They do not steal Toronto Star news pieces and post them, they just ALLOW users to share the links.
Grow a brain people and try to think for yourself.
I can kinda see the argument where sites like iPhone in Canada take existing news stories and reword them for financial gain should pay the news outlets they take their stories from. But that’s not even what the bill is about – they are asking companies to pay out just for posting a LINK to a news article! Crazy.
Well, isn’t that the entire internet and news industry when it comes to sharing non-original news? Name a publication that only publishes 100% original content without mentioning or linking to another source?
For sure. And I’m not advocating for it. I’m just saying I can imagine our government (which doesn’t have the brightest bulbs) thinking this might be a great tax opportunity for them – i.e. if they force blogs to pay their sources – they could tax these payments. Not a great idea – but I wouldn’t put it past them. But forcing payments for just posting a link? That’s nuts. That breaks the internet for Canada. And we’re already seeing the damage it’s causing.