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  1. Jan 2021
    1. Google threatened to stop its search engine from Australia if the country’s code on News Media Bargaining becomes a law.

      What makes it a problem for the search giant is the fact that with the proposed law, it will be necessitated to pay for links and snippets in Search. Google says this provision “would set an untenable precedent” for its business which is actually “not compatible with how search engines work.”

      Mel Silva, VP Google Australia and New Zealand, in her opening statement to the Senate Economics Committee Inquiry, had said that the principle of free linking between websites is fundamental to Search.

      Also with the difficult financial and operational risk if this part of the Code becomes law, Google will have no choice but to stop making Search available in Australia.

      “That’d be a bad outcome not just for us, but for the Australian people, media diversity and small businesses who use Google Search.” the Mel Silva says

      Google has, however, proposed technical review in 3 areas to address the issue it has with the proposed law. The company stated that these amendments will make pay available to publishers for value, without breaking Google Search.