Meta platforms have announced that they will begin blocking access to any news content on "Instagram" and "Facebook" for all users in Canada in compliance with the recently passed law.

It was noted that Instagram has already begun to block news being published by Canadian media and press companies to Canadian citizens on this important platform.

The law requires social media companies to pay "their fair share to news organizations".

In a statement released on Tuesday, Meta revealed that it is effective immediately, and links and content posted by Canadian and international news outlets on Meta's apps will no longer be viewable by users in Canada. Additionally, Canadians will no longer be able to share any news content on "Facebook" or "Instagram," including articles and audiovisual content published by news outlets. Meta said that these changes will be implemented over the next few weeks.

The so-called online news law, passed by the Canadian parliament in June, forces platforms like Google and Meta to negotiate commercial deals with Canadian news publishers regarding content.

Lawmakers claim that the bill aims to support the sustainability of news organizations by regulating "digital news intermediaries to promote fairness in the Canadian digital news market."

However, the legislation has been heavily criticized by technology giants, with Meta arguing that it distorts the value that news outlets receive when choosing to use social media platforms.

Rachel Curran, Head of Public Policy at Meta Canada, stated: "The legislation is based on the false premise that Meta unfairly benefits from news content shared on our platforms, when the opposite is true. News outlets voluntarily share content on "Facebook" and "Instagram" to broaden their audience and enhance their bottom line. In return, we know that people who use our platform do not come to us for news."