Meta test to limit news content on Canadian Instagram and Facebook accounts

June 2 (Portaltic/EP) –

Goal has announced the test launch to prevent certain users and publishers from viewing and share news content on Instagram and Facebook platforms in Canadain response to the Online News Law, which is being studied to be implemented in that country.

The Online News Act or Bill C-18 is a rule that Canada raised earlier this year and that claims that technological platforms like Facebook or Instagram partner with the media to share income. This is because a large part of the income generated by the news of these media outlets is kept by these platforms.

Meta ensures that Bill C-18 is a “fundamentally flawed” law, given that “ignores the realities” of how platforms work such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as the preferences of the users who participate in them and “the value” that is given to news publishers.

Within this framework, the company has announced that it has begun testing to limit news content on some Facebook and Instagram user accounts in Canada. Thus, if the Online News Bill passes, media content will cease media, including news publishers and broadcasters, for people accessing these platforms in this country.

This has been explained by Meta through a statement on their websitein which it has detailed that these tests will prevent certain users and news publishers from seeing and sharing informational content on the Instagram and Facebook platforms in Canada.

It has also indicated that these tests they will help the company create an “effective” product solution to “kill the availability of news in Canada.” The trial period will last several weeks and will influence a small percentage of users of said country who are registered in the test.

Moreover, the cessation of news content in these tests will affect all media, whether they belong to Canada or not. In addition, they will select media that fall within the provisions of the text of the law. That is, the media that mainly report, investigate or explain current affairs or events of public interest, “as written”.

In this way, Meta has explained that the media will continue to have access to their Facebook and Instagram accounts where they can post links and news content. However, this content will not be viewable in Canada. As for the points of sale, Meta has also indicated that the media will continue to have access to Meta Business Suite and advertising tools.

However, in the event that a media outlet registered in the tests considers that it is not within the scope provided in the legislation of Bill C-18, it may request a process review of your case.

In addition to all this, Meta has recalled that the tests are “a common industry practice” to ensure that “the experience works as expected”, that is why he has decided to launch them. He has also stressed that it is part of his commitment to comply with the Online News Law in a “responsible and transparent” manner.