Google warns Australia of 'dramatically worse' services over controversial draft law

Google warned Australians that News Media Bargaining Code, a law proposed by government, will hurt how y use Google Search and YouTube. Mel Silva, Google Australia Managing Director, said that proposed would force US-based tech giant to provide Australian users with “dramatically worse” Google Search and YouTube.

Silva warned that it could also lead to data being handed over to big news businesses, and would put free services y use in Australia at risk. In an open letter to Australians, Google official said that law would force firm to give an unfair advant to news media businesses over everyone else who has a website, YouTube channel or small business.

“We’ve always treated all website owners fairly when it comes to information we share about ranking. proposed changes are t fair and y mean that Google Search results and YouTube will be worse for you,” letter read.

Google claimed that tech firm has to tell news media businesses “how y can gain access” to data about users, adding that re’s way of kwing if any data handed over would be protected, or how it might be used by news media businesses. Silva said that law is set up to give big media companies “special treatment” and to encour m to make “ermous and unreasonable demands that would put our free services at risk”.

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Regulatory body dismisses letter

Australian Competitor and Consumer Commission (ACCC) dismissed open letter, saying it contains misinformation about draft news media bargaining code. regulatory body said in a statement that draft code will allow Australian news businesses to negotiate for fair payment for ir journalists’ work that is included on Google services.

ACCC clarified that Google will t be required to charge Australians for use of its free services such as Google Search and YouTube or to share any additional user data with Australian news businesses “unless it chooses to do so”. It stated that draft code will allow Australian news businesses to negotiate for fair payment for ir journalists’ work that is included on Google services.

“This will address a significant bargaining power imbalance between Australian news media businesses and Google and Facebook,” ACCC said in a statement.

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