OTTAWA – Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is under fire for refusing to disclose key details about its compliance with Canada’s Online News Act. This decision comes despite the platform’s controversial decision last year to block news content in Canada, a move that has drawn criticism from government officials and the public.
Canadian news links can no longer be shared on META platforms.
The Online News Act, enacted in 2023, was designed to compel tech giants like Meta and Google to compensate Canadian news outlets for sharing or displaying their content.
While Google has reached an agreement to contribute $100 million to Canadian news publishers, Meta has taken a different approach, blocking news entirely on its platforms in the country.
What is the Online News Act?
The Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, is Canada’s attempt to address the declining revenues of traditional media outlets by requiring large digital platforms to pay publishers for the news content they use. The legislation aims to ensure fair compensation for Canadian journalism and promote a sustainable media landscape in the digital age.
While the Act has been celebrated as a step toward supporting local journalism, it has also sparked fierce opposition from tech companies. Both Meta and Google initially resisted the legislation, citing concerns over its practicality and impact on their operations.
Meta’s Refusal to Comply with CRTC Requests
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), tasked with enforcing the Online News Act, recently requested Meta to explain its compliance measures. Reports have emerged suggesting that despite the news block, Canadian news content continues to circulate on Meta’s platforms via workarounds like screenshots and text copying.
Meta submitted a confidential response to the CRTC but declined to provide an abridged version for public disclosure. The company argued that revealing its compliance measures could enable users to bypass its restrictions, undermining the intent of the legislation.
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge criticized Meta’s lack of transparency, with a spokesperson calling the company’s actions “a troubling message” about its unwillingness to accept oversight.
Google’s Approach: A Contrast
Unlike Meta, Google reached a deal with the Canadian government, agreeing to contribute $100 million to Canadian news organizations. This agreement allowed Google to obtain an exemption from the Online News Act, demonstrating an alternative path to compliance.
Meta, however, has chosen confrontation over collaboration, intensifying its conflict with Canadian regulators and media advocates.
Government Response and Next Steps
The CRTC has pressed Meta to justify its confidentiality claims, emphasizing that the public has a right to understand how the company’s practices align with the Act. As of now, Meta has maintained its stance, stating that its compliance processes are commercially sensitive and must remain confidential.
The CRTC is currently reviewing Meta’s latest response and weighing its next steps. This includes potentially making the information public if Meta fails to adequately justify its confidentiality.
Implications for Canadian Media and Users
Meta’s refusal to comply has broader implications for Canada’s digital ecosystem. By blocking news content, Meta has effectively created barriers to accessing reliable information, leaving Canadians reliant on alternative methods to share news. Critics argue this move undermines the principles of fair compensation and public accountability that the Online News Act seeks to uphold.
The outcome of this standoff will likely shape the future of digital media regulation in Canada and could influence how other nations approach similar legislation.
