Why is Australia trying to regulate Google and Facebook?

The Australian government says it is trying to level the playing field between digital giants, which take the lion’s share of digital advertising revenue, and media companies that have seen their revenues dwindle despite producing much of the content shared on online platforms.

What happened with Google and Australia?

On February 17th, the splintering arrived: Google cut a deal with News Corp. that will ensure its services continue to be provided in Australia, and Facebook walked away from the bargaining table and began preventing people from sharing news links from Australian publishers around the world.

Is Google going to leave Australia?

Google isn’t leaving Australia after all; signs news deal with Aussie media outfit. Google called the law “unworkable” and stated that they would be withdrawing a few of their key services from Australia if the new regulations were enforced.

Who regulates Facebook in Australia?

In 2019, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry into digital platforms described Facebook’s algorithms, particularly those that determine the positioning of advertising on Facebook pages, as “opaque”. It concluded media companies needed more assurance about the use of their content.

Why did Australia make Facebook pay for news?

Australia For News Content The three-year deal came weeks after Facebook briefly blocked Australian news outlets’ content on its platform to protest a change in the country’s media law requiring the company to pay for it.

Is Facebook run by Google?

Technically, Zuckerberg explained, Google is purchasing 98.4 percent of Facebook, leaving Microsoft with 1.6 percent ownership. Schmidt noted the many synergies between Google and Facebook that led to the deal.

Will Gmail still work in Australia?

Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc also runs key web portals such as YouTube, and productivity tools such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Maps (which actually started in Australia). Those services are not going to be removed from the Australian market, even if web search does get pulled out.

Why does Google want to exit Australia?

Google has threatened to remove its search engine from Australia over the nation’s attempt to make the tech giant share royalties with news publishers. Google Australia managing director Mel Silva told a Senate hearing on Friday that the laws were “unworkable”.

Is social media regulated in Australia?

There are no specific or different consumer laws or rules in place for social media. Consumer protection laws which prohibit businesses from making false, misleading or deceptive claims about their products or services have been in place for decades.

Who is responsible for comments on social media?

Former Don Dale inmate Dylan Voller and the comments Three media companies published stories about Voller to their Facebook page, and readers left comments underneath those posts. The media stories themselves were not defamatory but Voller alleged some of those reader comments were, so he sued.

Is Google Paying Australian news?

The Australian government has passed a new law requiring Google and Facebook to negotiate with news outlets to pay for their content or face arbitration. that will see Google make “significant payments” to host content from publishers like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post in its News Showcase product.

Does Australia have Google?

Google is the dominant search engine in Australia and has been described by the government as a near-essential utility, with little market competition. In 2018, an Australian government regulator launched an inquiry into the impact of Google and Facebook on competition in media and advertising.

How many Australians use Facebook in Australia?

Some 13 million Australians log on to Facebook every month. ABC News: Simon Winter Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced in April that the code would be mandatory. “Australia makes laws that advance our national interest,” he said in response to Facebook’s statement this week.

Will Australia ban sharing local news on Facebook and Instagram?

“Assuming this draft code becomes law, we will reluctantly stop allowing publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram,” a statement from Australia and New Zealand managing director Will Easton said.

Will Facebook remove Australians’ ability to post news content on platforms?

Facebook has threatened to remove Australians’ ability to post news content to its platforms if the Federal Government does not back down on a proposed code of conduct. Skip to main content ABC News Homepage SearchLog InLog InMore from ABC More from ABC Close menuABC iview Listen ABC Home News Radio iview Everyday More Editorial Policies

Is Facebook eating up 20\% of Australia’s advertising pie?

Photograph: Bloomberg via Getty Images Google, Facebook and YouTube have increased their already substantial share of the digital advertising pie in Australia, leaving less than 20\% for news and other websites, according to a new report from the competition regulator.