Australia Rebukes Google for Blocking Local Content

The Australian government has urged Google to pay for Australian content instead of blocking it.

After media reports said that Australian news websites did not appear in searches, Google confirmed that the websites were being blocked by a small number of users, reports BBC.

The search engine stated that it was conducting experiments to determine the value of its service to Australian news outlets.

Google, Facebook and other technology companies are fighting the Australian government over plans to make them pay for news content.

Google said the tests affect about 1% of Australian users, and will be finished by February.

“The digital giants should focus on paying for original content, not blocking it. That’s my message to those digital giants,” said Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Big tech firms have resisted legislation that will force them to negotiate with Australian news outlets for the payment of content on their platforms.

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the arbitrator appointed by the Government shall decide on the matter.

The law is currently being debated by Australia’s Senate, and is expected to be voted on early this year.

Google and Facebook called the rules unfair and suggested that they would force them to limit their offerings in the country.

The bill also covers Australia's two public broadcasters, ABC and SBS, and requires Google and Facebook to share user information on news stories with their publishers.

“That is a world-leading scheme that we are putting in place. It has been acknowledged not just by regulatory agencies but by other governments around the world,” said Mr Frydenberg.

Google argues that the change would make its search services worse.

An extensive advertising campaign has been launched in Australia, arguing that the laws would be harmful.

Australian media owners see things differently. Australian print media have seen a 75% decline in advertising revenue since 2005, according to the government.

Many Australian news outlets have shut down or cut jobs in recent years as a result.