Google threatens to shut down search in Australia

Google has threatened to remove its search engine from Australia and Facebook has threatened to remove news from its feed for all Australian users if a code forcing the companies to negotiate payments to news media companies goes ahead, The Guardian reports.

The move would mean the 19 million Australians who use Google every month would no longer be able to search, and 17 million Australians who log into Facebook every month would not be able to see or post any news articles.

The two companies are fighting against legislation currently before the parliament which would force the digital platforms to enter into negotiations with news media companies for payment for content, with an arbiter to ultimately decide the payment amount if no agreement can be reached.

The company’s Australian managing director, Mel Silva, told a Senate committee the proposed news code was untenable and would set a “dangerous precedent” for paying for links.