https://www.engadget.com/google-disable-search-australia-if-forced-pay-news-054352648.html [google-dis] * Login * Home * Reviews * Gear * Gaming * Entertainment * Products * Tomorrow * Audio * Video * Deals * Buyer's Guide + Dads and Grads + Holiday Gift Guide + Fitness Tech + Home Entertainment + Personal Security + Back to School + Outdoor Tech + Parenting and Tech + Camera Guide + Best of CES + Phones + Laptops + View All * * * * Log in * Sign up [ ] 3 related articles * Login Democrats ask Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to rework their suggestion algorithms Democrats ask Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to rework their suggestion algorithms Cadillac's upcoming Celestiq flagship EV has a tint-shifting smart roof Cadillac's upcoming Celestiq flagship EV has a tint-shifting smart roof The best deals we found this week: $40 off Google's Pixel 4a 5G and more The best deals we found this week: $40 off Google's Pixel 4a 5G and more Latest in Gear Democrats ask Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to rework their suggestion algorithms Democrats ask Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to rework their suggestion algorithms 3h ago View Cadillac's upcoming Celestiq flagship EV has a tint-shifting smart roof Cadillac's upcoming Celestiq flagship EV has a tint-shifting smart roof 4h ago View The best deals we found this week: $40 off Google's Pixel 4a 5G and more The best deals we found this week: $40 off Google's Pixel 4a 5G and more 5h ago View Pinterest adds eyeshadow to its virtual makeup kit Pinterest adds eyeshadow to its virtual makeup kit 6h ago View [dims] Image credit: Prykhodov via Getty Images Google says it will disable Search in Australia if it's forced to pay for news The company's spokesperson made the statement at a Senate hearing. [dims] Mariella Moon, @mariella_moon 17h ago Comments 330 Shares Share Tweet Share Sponsored Links # Simferopol, Russia - July 9, 2014: Google biggest Internet search engine. Google.com domain was registered September 15, 1997. Prykhodov via Getty Images Google has been at odds with the Australian government ever since the latter started working on a mandatory code of conduct that would require Facebook, Google and others to pay news outlets for using their content. Now, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, that tech giant would go as far as leaving the country if it's forced to pay for news. Mel Silva, Google's managing director in the country, told the Senate at a hearing: "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." The country's officials were negotiating an agreement that would make payments voluntary. However, after seeing the pandemic's impact on the news industry's ad revenue, the government switched its plans to make payments mandatory. As a response, Google published an open letter in August 2020, warning users that free search and YouTube services are "at risk" in the country if the government implements the proposed law. The tech giant also dropped its plans to launch a curated News Showcase in Australia. When asked about Google's declaration, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: "People who want to work with that, in Australia, you're very welcome. But we don't respond to threats." Silva denies that her statement was a threat. "It's a reality," she said, clarifying that pulling Search in the country is the "worst case scenario." She said making payments to news outlets for content would break Google's business, and the proposal "would set an untenable precedent for [its] businesses and the digital economy." She added: "It's not compatible with how search engines work or how the internet works." In a blog post the company published, it said it's "committed to reaching a workable code and see a clear path to getting there." Aside from Google, Facebook has also been opposed to mandatory payments from the start. The social network didn't threaten to leave Australia if the proposal becomes a law, but it wouldn't be able to offer news as a product anymore. In this article: Google Search, Australia, news, gear All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Comment Comments Share 330 Shares Share Tweet Share Popular on Engadget Put Bernie Sanders almost anywhere with this Google Street View app Put Bernie Sanders almost anywhere with this Google Street View app View Cadillac's upcoming Celestiq flagship EV has a tint-shifting smart roof Cadillac's upcoming Celestiq flagship EV has a tint-shifting smart roof View President Biden appoints 'world-class' cybersecurity team in wake of hacks President Biden appoints 'world-class' cybersecurity team in wake of hacks View Microsoft increases Xbox Live Gold prices for new members Microsoft increases Xbox Live Gold prices for new members View Apple's next MacBook Air could be even thinner and lighter Apple's next MacBook Air could be even thinner and lighter View From around the web About * About Engadget * About Our Ads * Advertise * Brand Kit * Buyers Guide * RSS Feed Sections * Reviews * Gear * Gaming * Entertainment * Tomorrow * The Buyer's Guide * Video * Podcasts * Deals Contribute * Comment Guidelines * Send us a tip! * Support International * Fan Ti Zhong Wen * Jian Ti Zhong Wen * Ri Ben Ban Join Our Newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow Us * * * * * (c) 2021 Verizon Media. 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