BREAKING NEWS: Facebook will restore access to news content for publishers and users in Australia. The ban will end in the “coming days” as the government agreed on a solution with Facebook.
Today, Facebook announced that it will block both Australian publishers (media firms) and users from sharing news and links to articles on the platform.
It follows a bill passed by the Australian House of Representatives that will make tech giants like Facebook and Google pay news organisations for the use of their content.
In response to Australia’s proposed new Media Bargaining law, Facebook will restrict publishers and people in Australia from sharing or viewing Australian and international news content.
Facebook will block publishers in Australia from sharing any content on their pages. Tools like insights and Creator Studio will still be available.
Australian users cannot view or share local or international news content, while international users will be unable to share news from Australia or articles from publishers over there.
International publishers will also be affected — their content can not be viewed or shared in Australia.
The changes will impact users immediately although Facebook claims that less than 4 per cent of content shown in the News Feed is from publishers.
