Despite Google previously running tests to block some Canadian news in preparation for the passage of Bill C-18, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez says he is “surprised” that the tech giant has now announced it intends to block all links to Canadian news outlets once the Online News Act comes into effect in December.
Rodriguez said that while Meta—the owner of Facebook and Instagram—had already been clear in its intention to block Canadian news, the government was still in negotiations with Google as of the morning of June 29.
“I’m a bit surprised by Google’s reaction,” Rodriguez said while appearing on CTV’s “Power Play” on June 29….