After initially resisting, Meta has now agreed to comply with a directive from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to publicly disclose details of its news-blocking measures. This comes as part of the company’s response to the Online News Act, which mandates platforms like Facebook and Instagram to compensate media outlets for displaying their content.
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Meta’s Response to the Online News Act
In compliance with the Online News Act, Meta blocked news content from Facebook and Instagram. The CRTC sought clarity on the steps Meta is taking to follow the new legislation, specifically asking if news is being made available on its platforms, which would require compensation to news outlets.
Workarounds and Government Concerns
While Meta has implemented blocks on news content, users have found workarounds to continue sharing news articles on its platforms, including posting screenshots or copying text. Despite these workarounds, the Liberal government believes Meta could still be subject to the legislation.
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CRTC Demands Transparency from Meta
After Meta initially refused to release its October 17 response, the CRTC ordered the company to make the document public by Wednesday. In the letter, Meta detailed how it blocks content from identified news outlets based on Facebook and Instagram account activity, and other industry sources. However, the letter did not address the user-generated workarounds.
Meta has yet to fully resolve the issue, but the company is now under pressure to provide full transparency.
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