Australia is on course to pass laws that would make the Big Tech giants negotiate payments with local publishers and broadcasters for content.
Google said on Friday it will disable its search function in Australia if the government proceeds with a media code that would force it and Facebook Inc to pay local media companies for sharing their content.
Australia is on course to pass laws that would make the Big Tech giants negotiate payments with local publishers and broadcasters for content. If they can’t strike a deal, a government-appointed arbitrator will decide the price.
“The code’s arbitration model with bias criteria presents unmanageable financial and operational risk for Google,” MelSilva, managing director for Australia and New Zealand, told a senate committee. “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.”
Google’s comments drew sharp rebuke from Australian Prime…