Google warns New Zealand of potential impact over proposed news law

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Google has raised concerns over New Zealand’s proposed Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, which aims to impose taxes on the tech giant’s promotion of locally based news outlets.

The bill’s purpose, according to the government, “is to enable fair bargaining between New Zealand news media entities and operators of digital platforms to support commercial arrangements for news content.”

Its goal is to “support a free and independent news media industry by providing a way for news media entities to be viable in a digital marketplace.”

A key component of the bill is a “link tax” that would require Google to pay for linking to news articles, as reported by New Zealand-based RNZ.

Google pushed back against this move, releasing a statement warning New Zealand authorities to reconsider or face consequences.

“We’ve been transparent with the Government that if the Bill were to proceed on its current trajectory and became law, we would be forced to make significant changes to our products and news investments. Specifically, we’d be forced to stop linking to news content on Google Search, Google News, or Discover surfaces in New Zealand and discontinue our current commercial agreements and ecosystem support with New Zealand news publishers,” a Google statement said.

The company suggested a more inclusive approach, calling for constructive dialogue to find an alternative solution.

“Looking ahead, we encourage the Government to reconsider the current Bill and engage in constructive dialogue to find alternative solutions that will ensure a sustainable future for New Zealand journalism. We are confident that, together, we can develop a better path forward,” it added.

Both Australia and Canada have passed similar legislation. Though initially resisted by Google and Facebook, both companies have since reached agreements with media organizations in those countries.