Tech

Meta begins to cut off news access in Canada

Facebook and Instagram owner is protesting legislation requiring platforms to pay local news outlets for their content

Meta: Social media giant says Online News Act is “based on the incorrect premise that Meta benefits unfairly from news content shared on our platforms, when the reverse is actually true.” Picture: Getty

Meta has followed through with its threat to block news on Facebook and Instagram in Canada following the passing of legislation requiring digital platforms to pay local news outlets.

The California-headquartered company has began to halt the availability of news for those using its social media platforms in Canada.

The Online News Act, which would force platforms like Google parent Alphabet and Meta to negotiate commercial deals with Canadian news publishers for their content, is ...