Google’s decision to remove links to California news websites in response to proposed state legislation has sparked controversy and criticism. The California Journalism Preservation Act, introduced in March 2023, would require tech giants like Google and Meta to pay a “journalism usage fee” to news outlets when using their content alongside digital ads.
California State Senate President Pro-Tempore Mike McGuire condemned Google’s move as an act of “bullying” and an “abuse of power,” stating that it puts public safety at risk for Californians who rely on news for critical information. Lawmakers and supporters of the bill argue that tech companies benefit financially from sharing content from local news publishers without adequately compensating them.
Charles F. Champion, the president of the California News Publishers Association, accused Google of suppressing California news and called for immediate action from policymakers. Google, on the other hand, has long opposed what it calls a “link tax,” arguing that the financial exposure created by the legislation would be unworkable.
This is not the first time Google has faced backlash over similar legislation. In Canada and Australia, the company threatened to remove links to news content in response to proposed laws requiring compensation for news outlets. However, Google eventually reached agreements with news organizations in Australia, paying them through its Google News Showcase.
The debate over the California Journalism Preservation Act highlights the ongoing tension between tech companies and news publishers over fair compensation for content. As the legislation awaits further review, the future of news distribution in California remains uncertain.
