As a test run for Bill C-18, Google is blocking some Canadian users from viewing news content..The Online News Act would require companies like Google and Meta to compensate Canadian media companies for republishing their content on their platforms.."We're briefly testing potential product responses to Bill C-18 that impact a very small percentage of Canadian users," Google spokesman Shay Purdy said Wednesday..Google said it will temporarily limit access to news content for just under 4% of its Canadian users while it assesses possible responses to the bill. The change applies to its search engine as well as the 'Discover' feature on Android devices that carries news and sports stories..The test will run for five weeks, according to Google..Last year Facebook also warned it could start to block the sharing of news content on its platform in Canada over concerns about legislation that would compel digital platforms to pay news publishers. Following a similar Australian law that took effect in March 2021, Facebook briefly shutdown Facebook news feed in the country..Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez said it was "disappointing" to hear the news, but Canadians "won't be intimidated."."At the end of the day, all we’re asking the tech giants to do is compensate journalists when they use their work," he said. "That’s why we introduced the Online News Act. Tech giants need to be more transparent and accountable to Canadians."."I told you this would happen," said Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu. "Meta will be next. Withdraw Bill C-18."
