The Blubber

Per CBC

Canada's Online News Act Bill C-18 is pushing forward, and before it happens, Meta has decided to block access for Canadians to news on the site. This comes as the bill would require Meta and Google to pay publishers to use their content.

Meta gave a statement regarding how they are stopping access to news outlets through their social media platforms. These included access to news publishers and broadcasters.

"We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18 ... content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada,"

It was noted that Bill C-18 would come to force in six months, and although originally designed as a way for smaller news businesses to benefit, Meta has decided to end access instead. Pablo Rodriguez, the Canadian Heritage Minister, gave a statement regarding the situation.

Rodriguez: "A free and independent press is fundamental to our democracy... It levels the playing field by putting the power of big tech in check and ensuring that even our smallest news business can benefit through this regime and receive fair compensation for their work."

At the start of the year, Canada decided to ban foreigners from buying residential property for two years. The country has also decided to ban TikTok from all federal government devices.

See flow at unusualwhales.com/flow.

Other News:

• Canada has banned foreigners from buying residential property for two years
• Canada bans TikTok from all federal government devices

Resources:

CBC