Australia sets levy on tech firms that do not strike news deals
Australia has passed a law that can impose payments on major platforms unless they reach agreements with local publishers.
Australia has approved legislation that would require large technology companies to pay levies if they do not make commercial deals with news publishers, according to reporting on the new rules. The measure is aimed at supporting local outlets.
Under the law, companies including Meta, Google, TikTok and LinkedIn could face payments running into the millions of dollars if they do not reach agreements with publishers, Engadget reported. The policy is designed to push platforms toward direct compensation arrangements.
The move adds to a broader international effort to make digital platforms contribute to the news businesses that supply content used on their services. It also comes as governments continue to look for ways to shore up domestic media revenue.
Australia’s decision follows years of disputes over how online platforms should pay for journalism, and it places the country among the governments trying to formalize those payments through law.
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