Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Drops the Hammer on Google and Meta, Calls Out 'Bullying Tactics'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed Alphabet Inc's GOOG GOOGL Google and Meta Platforms Inc META for "bullying tactics" against a Canadian push to ensure financial support for news publishers.

The proposed legislation in Canada will push internet firms like Google and Meta's Facebook to pay publishers for their content, Reuters reports.

Google and Facebook have run tests in 2023 to restrict some users from viewing or sharing news content in Canada in their protest against the legislation.

Also Read: Other Side Of AI: Online Content Publishers Evaluate Legal Options Against Content Usage By Microsoft, Google's AI Bots

Google alleged that the rules were more stringent than those enacted in Australia and Europe.

Last week, Meta snubbed the bill citing the news's lack of economic value for its platforms.

Canada's media industry sought tighter regulation of tech companies that posted record profits while, at the same time, local independent news struggled. 

Price Actions: META shares traded lower by 1.43% at $259.84 on the last check Thursday. GOOG shares traded lower by 0.05% at $122.88.