Companies Meta Platforms Inc FollowOTTAWA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The Canadian government on Friday demanded that Meta (META.O) lift a "reckless" ban on domestic news from its platforms to allow people to share information about wildfires in the west of the country.
Meta started blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month in response to a new law requiring internet giants to pay for news articles.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez earlier said the ban meant people did not have access to crucial information.
Canadians can use Facebook and Instagram to access content from official government agencies, emergency services and non-governmental organizations, the spokesperson added.
Meta says users do not come to its platform for news and forcing the company to pay for content shared on its platforms is unsustainable for its business.
Persons:
Meta, Pascale St, Onge, Pablo Rodriguez, Chris Bittle, Ollie Williams, David Ljunggren, Josie Kao
Organizations:
OTTAWA, Canadian, Meta, Facebook, Transport, Liberal Party, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Thomson
Locations:
Canada, Yellowknife