Google threatens to stop linking to news in New Zealand

livemint.com:

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. SYDNEY : Google threatened to stop linking to news in New Zealand if lawmakers pass a bill aimed at making digital platforms pay media outlets, setting up another fight over whether tech companies unfairly benefit from news content. New Zealand is seeking to become the latest country to pass a law that would compel digital platforms like Alphabet’s Google and Meta’s Facebook to pay for news articles, at a time when traditional media outlets have been struggling as readers shift to online platforms.

“This bill proposes a ‘link tax’ that would require Google to pay simply for linking to news articles," according to a blog post from Caroline Rainsford, Google’s New Zealand country director, on Friday. “While Google supports efforts to foster a sustainable future for New Zealand news, this bill is not the right approach." Google added that it would discontinue its current commercial agreements and support for New Zealand publishers if the bill were made into law. Australia and Canada have already passed similar laws, attracting the ire of tech companies who argued that they shouldn’t be forced to pay because they send valuable traffic to media outlets, and that it would upend the concept of an open internet.

New Zealand first signaled its intent to pass such a law in December 2022, under what was then a left-leaning government. In July, New Zealand’s current right-leaning government said it would continue the effort, with certain changes. More modifications are still possible.