Big tech companies will feel the "full force of the law" if they refuse to pay Australian news outlets for its content, according to Communications Minister Paul Fletcher. Big tech companies will be forced to share advertisement revenue with Australian news outlets for its content under mandatory guidelines released by the government on Monday.
The government has moved to accelerate the mandatory code of conduct for companies like Google, Apple and Facebook after it became clear to the competition watchdog an agreement on a voluntary code was unlikely.
The guidelines will include sharing advertising revenue, sharing data and prioritising original news reporting in search algorithms.
Facebook said it is "disappointed" in the government's decision.
Mr Fletcher told Sky News all the stake holders will be able to comment on the guidelines
"If you're doing business in Australia, then you need to comply with the laws of the land," he said.
"Facebook and Google provide a useful service but if there is content that is being used that costs money to be used, they ought to pay money for it."
He said the Coalition is prepared to have a "tussle" with the tech giants if they fail to comply with the mandatory code.
"We are conscious this is going to require focus and determination," he said.
Australia is well used to having codes dealing with competition issues."
0 Comments