Meta hits back at News Corp after calls for tougher tech regulation
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The news: Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has hit back at News Corp, after the publisher’s Australian boss Michael Miller accused the company and other big tech firms of “exploiting” the law as he called for the government to introduce tougher tech regulation.
The context: On Thursday, Meta called Miller’s characterisation of the firm’s business in Australia “preposterous”. The company said its executives have worked closely with the eSafety Commissioner and other regulators in Australia.
In an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Miller urged the federal government to consider introducing new “social licence” laws that would force tech companies to meet a series of requirements in order to reach Australian users.
Miller suggested the licence could also require platforms to have effective complaints handling systems including local call centres, and carry penalties including criminal sanctions if breached.
News Corp and 12 other Australian media companies have been locked in a bitter standoff with Meta since March, when the tech company announced that it would not renew lucrative content deals with news publishers worth between $70 million and $100 million a year.
What they said: “Over the years we’ve restricted access to content out of respect for Australian laws, responded to thousands of requests from Australian law enforcement and worked constructively with them to prevent real world harm,” a Meta spokesperson said Thursday.
“We’ve trained tens of thousands of young Australians in online safety, developed over 50 tools, features and resources to create safe, age-appropriate experiences, and have established a local Online Safety Advisory Group and a Combating Online Hate Advisory Group, consisting of Australian community organisations.
“And since we began operating in Australia 15 years ago we’ve driven significant economic activity for Australian communities and businesses of all sizes. We look forward to continuing to make a positive contribution in Australia by bringing people and communities together and creating opportunities for businesses to grow.”
The source: Meta
