The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reacted to Google’s response to proposed new rules requiring online platforms to pay for the news items they circulate.
The ACCC has described Google’s open letter as “misinformation”.
In its letter Google claimed the proposed law the News Media Bargaining Code which is currently open for public comment, would force it to provide its users with a “dramatically worse Google Search and YouTube”.
“It could lead to your data being handed over to big news businesses, and would put the free services you use at risk in Australia,” the giant Google said.
“Under this law, Google has to tell news media businesses how they can gain access to data about your use of our products. There’s no way of knowing if any data handed over would be protected, or how it might be used by news media businesses.”
In a statement, the ACCC said Google would not be required to charge Australians for the use of its free services such as Google Search and YouTube, unless it chose to do so.
“Google will not be required to share any additional user data with Australian news businesses unless it chooses to do so,” the ACCC said.
“The draft code will allow Australian news businesses to negotiate for fair payment for their journalists’ work that is included on Google services.”
The ACCC said this would address a significant bargaining power imbalance between Australian news media businesses and Google and Facebook.
The Commission said a healthy news media sector was essential to a well-functioning democracy and it would continue to consult on the draft code with interested parties, including Google.
Consultation on the draft Code closes on 28 August with full details are at the ACCC on this PS News link.
