Facebook blocks news sharing in Australia as Google strikes deal with News Corp. in response to media payment law

Facebook and Google have seemingly taken two different routes to tackle the predicament that they are currently facing in Australia. For those unaware, Australia is on course to pass laws that would make these tech giants pay local publishers and broadcasters for content included in search results or news feeds.

In response, Facebook has decided to block news sharing in Australia. Google had previously threatened to block Australia from using its search engine if forced to pay for news, but those plans seem to be on hold for now as the global search engine giant has signed a deal with News Corp. and will start paying Rupert Murdoch’s company for its journalism in Australia, as well as in the UK and US.

In a blog post, Facebook has announced that it has blocked Australians from viewing or sharing any domestic or international news on its platform in response to the country’s “Media Bargaining law”.