Google Reaches Agreement with Canada, Pays Publishers and Abandons News Blocking

Google has reached an agreement with the government of Canada regarding the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which would require large web platforms to pay news outlets for using their content. As a result, Google will not block links to Canadian news outlets and will continue sending traffic to publishers. The exact terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, but it is reported that Google will pay millions of dollars to publishers. The negotiations also included establishing a streamlined exemption process for companies that meet a certain financial threshold. The Online News Act, which goes into effect in December, is part of a global effort to transfer money from tech companies to news organizations.