Google warns that the proposed law could harm Internet users. Australia’s league watchdog disagrees.
Stephen Shankland / CNET
Australia’s league watchdog on Monday accused Google of sharing ‘incorrect information’ about a proposed law that would require the search giant to pay media companies for news content. The answer comes after Google published an open letter saying new regulations “will hurt how Australians use Google Search and YouTube.”
“A proposed law, the News Media Bargaining Code, would force us to provide you with dramatically less Google Search and YouTube, could lead to your data being passed on to major news outlets, and would jeopardize the free services you use. bring in Australia, “Google Managing Director Mel Silva said in an open letter Monday. The search giant also has a message on its Australian homepage, which states that the “way Aussies use Google is in danger” and links to its open letter.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission stepped back, saying Google does not have to pay for the use of its free services or share additional user data with news outlets.
“Google will not be obliged to pay Australians for the use of its free services such as Google Search and YouTube unless it chooses to do so,” the ACCC said in a statement. “The draft code will allow Australian news outlets to negotiate for fair payment for the work of their journalists included in Google services.”
Australia introduced a draft of the News Media Bargaining Code last month. The regulation would require digital platforms, primarily Google and Facebook, to negotiate with media and pay for news content appearing on their services. The draft law also requires Google media outlets to notify of changes to their algorithms that may affect items such as referral traffic or search rankings.
The ACCC said discussions on the draft would last until August 28, with a final version “shortly thereafter.”
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
