London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 19, 2025

Why has Facebook blocked Australian news?

Why has Facebook blocked Australian news?

For years, politicians and publishers have been worried about the dominance of tech giants such as social media firms and search engine companies over traditional news media.
Background


For years, politicians and publishers have been worried about the dominance of tech giants such as social media firms and search engine companies over traditional news media.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australia’s competition regulator, opened an inquiry into social media and search engine firms.

The investigation found a disparity of power between such firms and the media, recommending a new code of conduct. For example, out of every $100 spent on digital advertising, $53 goes to Google, and $28 to Facebook, with $19 finding its way to others.

The Australian Government revealed its draft law last year, and this was passed by House of Representatives yesterday. Given the bipartisan support it enjoys, it is set to pass the Senate and become law.

What would the law do?


The proposed new law would mandate tech firms such as Facebook and Google to pay Australian publishers such as newspapers directly for content that is posted on their sites. It would also require them to give advance notice of changes to their algorithms.

In this instance, Facebook would have to negotiate prices with publishers within three months. Failing this, a government-appointed arbitration panel would mediate between platforms and publishers.

Penalties could reach A$10m (£5m) or 10 per cent of the firm’s local turnover.

How has Facebook responded to Australia?


In a blog post, Facebook condemned the move by the Australian Parliament. William Easton, Managing Director for Facebook Australia and New Zealand said:

“The proposed law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content.

“It has left us facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia. With a heavy heart, we are choosing the latter.”

Today, Facebook blocked Australian publishers from posting their content on the site as well as users around the world from accessing content from those publishers.

Why does this matter?


Australia, a nation of 26 million people, is a relatively small market for tech giants. Facebook, the world’s biggest social media network, has over 2.7 billion monthly active users.

But it is being seen as a test case for potential action elsewhere. Other countries, as well as the European Union, have been considering taking similar action. Facebook’s response could be seen as a pre-emptive shot against proposed changes.

What about Google?


In January, Google made headlines around the world by threatening to withdraw its search engine from Australia if the proposed bill became law.

However, it has since revealed an agreement to pay Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp for content as part of a three-year package.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
×