National

Meta gives in to CRTC disclosure order on Online News Act compliance

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Dec, 2024 06:16 PM

After initially fighting the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Meta has complied with an order from the regulator to publicly disclose information about its news-blocking measures.

The CRTC asked Meta what measures it’s taking to comply with the Online News Act, and if news is being made available on its platforms — which would require the company to compensate media outlets for displaying their content.

Meta blocked news from Facebook and Instagram in response to that legislation.

But users have found workarounds to continue to share news on Meta’s platforms, and the Liberal government maintains the company could still fall under the legislation.

After Meta refused to follow CRTC directions to either publicly release its Oct. 17 response, or explain in detail why it should remain confidential, the regulator gave Meta until Wednesday to make the document public.

In that brief Oct. 17 letter, Meta says it blocks content from domains, pages, or accounts it has identified as news outlets, but the letter does not address workarounds such as users sharing screenshots of news articles and copying the text of articles in their posts.

"The measures we undertake to identify potential news outlets include reviewing potential publishers based on Facebook and Instagram account activity, and industry information available through public, licensed and government sources," the company said.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. charities worried Canada Post strike will affect fundraising efforts

Some B.C. charities and not-for-profits said they are worried the Canada Post strike will jeopardize their year-end fundraising efforts. Nicole Mucci, a spokeswoman for Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, said 50 per cent of the organization's revenue normally comes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and a mail strike at this time of the year is "detrimental" since so many donations come in the mail.

B.C. charities worried Canada Post strike will affect fundraising efforts

Trudeau says he could have acted faster on immigration changes, blames 'bad actors'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government could have acted faster on reining in immigration programs, after blaming "bad actors" for gaming the system. Trudeau released a nearly seven-minute video on YouTube Sunday talking about the recent reduction in permanent residents being admitted to Canada and changes to the temporary foreign worker program.

Trudeau says he could have acted faster on immigration changes, blames 'bad actors'

2 bystanders pepper-sprayed in Metrotown

Mounties in Burnaby say two innocent bystanders were reportedly pepper-sprayed by four teenagers in Burnaby over the weekend. Corporal Mike Kalanj with Burnaby R-C-M-P says officers responded to reports of the assault inside the Metrotown shopping centre on Saturday evening.

2 bystanders pepper-sprayed in Metrotown

Canadians generally optimistic about human rights, despite challenges: poll

Two-thirds of Canadians are optimistic about where human rights are headed in this country, but there is growing pessimism about the state of rights abroad, a new survey found. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg released its second survey on the topic as it seeks to ensure its exhibits match Canadians' concerns.

Canadians generally optimistic about human rights, despite challenges: poll

Parliament remains gridlocked amid Trump trade talk and postal strike

Parliament closes in on its eighth week of gridlock over a privilege motion, as Canada Post employees are on strike and calls emerge to exclude Mexico from upcoming trade talks. While question period has continued, other house business is on hold due to a Conservative privilege motion calling on the government to turn over unredacted documents on a green technology fund.

Parliament remains gridlocked amid Trump trade talk and postal strike

Police say death of young woman found in Halifax Walmart walk-in oven not suspicious

The death of a young Halifax woman whose body was recently found in a Walmart's walk-in oven was not suspicious and did not involve foul play, police said Monday. The death of the 19-year-old employee in the store's bakery was reported on Oct. 19.