(GNB Desk): Google said on Friday it would block its search engine in Australia if the government proceeds with a new code that would force it and Facebook Inc to pay media companies for the right to use their content.
Australia is introducing a world-first law to make Google, Facebook and potentially other tech companies pay media outlets for their news content.
But the US firms have fought back, warning the law would make them withdraw some of their services.
Australia’s code would tie Google and Facebook to mediated negotiations with publishers over the value of news content, if no agreement could be reached first.
Google Australia managing director Mel Silva told a Senate hearing on Friday that the laws were “unworkable”, according to BBC report.
“If this version of the code were to become law, it would give us no real choice but to stop making Google Search available in Australia,” she said.
Ms Silva said the laws would set “an untenable precedent for our businesses and the digital economy” if the company had to pay for link and search results.
Silva updated about a proposed new law, said “currently in Senate Committee Inquiry and soon to be voted on by the Government—which would break Google Search as you know it”.
What happens if the law is passed?
In a statement, Google Australia managing director Mel Silva said, “The ability to link freely between websites is fundamental to Search. This code creates an unreasonable and unmanageable financial and operational risk to our business. If the Code were to become law in its current form, we would have no real choice but to stop making Google Search available in Australia. That is the last thing I or Google want to have happen—especially when there is a way forward that allows us to support Australian journalism without breaking Search. We think that would be a bad outcome not just for us, but for the millions of people and businesses across Australia who use Google Search every day.
She added “The good news is: there’s still time to get the Code right. We participated in a recent Senate hearing, and we’re going to keep making our case as clearly and constructively as we can. We look forward to working with the policymakers and publishers to achieve an outcome that’s fair for everyone”.
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