Meta, Facebook’s parent company, is considering blocking news content in Australia if required to pay licensing fees, said regional policy director Mia Garlick at a parliamentary hearing. Garlick stated that “all options are on the table” and noted other channels for news access, suggesting Meta might avoid paying fees by blocking news sharing.
Meta awaits a decision from Canberra on enforcing a 2021 law allowing the government to set such fees. This echoes Meta’s stance in Canada in 2023 when similar laws were introduced. While Meta initially made deals with Australian media firms, it won’t renew these beyond 2024. Australia’s assistant treasurer, who criticized Meta for respecting the law selectively, will decide on enforcement.
Garlick defended Meta’s compliance with various laws and addressed concerns about misinformation and scams, noting challenges in stopping scams despite having processes in place.