Statement in response to Google threat to withdraw Google search services in Australia, should proposed Media Bargaining Code become law

In a Senate Inquiry today, Google Australia Managing Director Mel Silva told Senators “if this version of the code were to become law, it would give us no real choice but to stop making Google Search available in Australia.”

“Google’s testimony today is part of a pattern of threatening behaviour that is chilling for anyone who values our democracy,” said Peter Lewis, director of the Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology.

“Our elected representatives must stand firm against this bullying and support a viable media to act as a counterweight to the power of Big Tech: the eyes of the world are watching.

“This follows the secret and cynical experiment on google users in recent weeks where news has been withdrawn from its services with no forward notice.”


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