Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticized Facebook for prioritizing profits over people’s safety by blocking news on its platform amid devastating wildfires in the country. The move comes in response to a Canadian law that requires Facebook to share profits with news outlets. Evacuees from wildfire-affected areas have expressed frustration over the ban, as it hinders their ability to share critical news with each other.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has labeled the Canadian law as “fundamentally flawed.” Since August 1, Facebook and Instagram have been inaccessible for news content in Canada, following the passing of an online news bill that mandates negotiations between platforms like Google and Meta with news publishers for content usage. This move has sparked considerable criticism from Canadian officials.
Pascale St-Onge, Canada’s heritage minister, stated on social media that Meta’s actions block “essential information” for users, despite the law not being in effect yet. Meta defended its decision, explaining that the law forces the company to halt access to news content in order to comply with the legislation. The company has activated a “Safety Check” feature on its platform to help those in evacuated areas access reputable information.
For evacuees in regions affected by wildfires, the news ban has hindered their ability to share crucial information with their networks. Facebook is a central means of communication for many communities, with about 77% of Canadians using the platform and a quarter of them relying on it for news.
Meta’s stance on the law has sparked a contentious debate over the balance between news dissemination and corporate interests. As wildfires continue to pose threats to communities, the social media giant’s actions have underscored the potential consequences of content access restrictions during critical events.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Le Monde
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