Google testing blocking Canadian news

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Google testing blocking Canadian news

Google is testing blocking Canadian users access to news as a result of the Trudeau government's Online News Act, which is expected to be passed into law this week.

Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Toronto, said the blocking of news in Canada was an issue that bothers him.

He said it was really surprising that Google decided to stop Canadians from accessing news, rather than paying journalists for the work they do.

I think that's a terrible mistake and Canadians expect journalists to be well paid for the work they do. Google didn't respond immediately to a request for comment.

Facebook has raised concerns about the legislation and warned that it might have to block news sharing on its platform.

The legislation passed in December in Canada's House of Commons and is currently in the unelected upper chamber of the parliament, which rarely blocks legislation the lower house clears.

Ottawa's proposal is similar to a ground-breaking law that Australia passed in 2021, which has triggered threats from Google and Facebook to curtail their services. After a series of amendments to the legislation were offered, both struck deals with Australian media companies.