Google issues warning on pulling search from Australia
Google is currently showing users a pop-up explaining why it may have to pull its search function from the Australian market.
Whenever users enter a search, a new message appears linking to a video featuring Google's Australian managing director Mel Silva explaining the federal government's news media bargaining code, which will force Google to pay eligible news publishers to link their content in search.
"The news media bargaining code will break how Google Search works in Australia," Ms Silva says in the video.
"I know that sounds pretty full on, but it's true."
Watch the video below:
YourLifeChoices member John felt compelled to email in his thoughts on the matter, which we have included below.
"Why is this government insisting that organisations such as Google pay to use Australian news sites? On one hand the main beneficiary will be News Corp one the other it may be the ABC. I thought competition would be good for News Corp and the ABC. Government now wants the millions of dollars it has gutted from the ABC to be replaced by Google and at the same time it is giving News Corporation a subsidy to promote small issues."
Do you think Google should pay publishers for their content that is linked in its search function?
More on the reasons behind Australia's push here.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/dec/09/australia-is-making-google-and-facebook-pay-for-news-what-difference-will-the-code-make
While News Corp Australia has campaigned aggressively for the code, it has the broad support of the industry including Guardian Australia. Nine Entertainment, publishers of the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, are on board as is Seven West Media, Australian Community Media, regional and small publishers.
Do you think Google should pay publishers for their content that is linked in its search function?
NO ... the ones complaining are all commercial publishers in it for profit ... that's business.