New Delhi: In a direct response to Meta's decision to permanently block news content on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, the Canadian government has taken a strong stance by suspending its advertising on these platforms.

Meta's move came after the Canadian government passed the Online News Act in June, which mandates tech giants like Meta to compensate media outlets for the content they share or repurpose on their platforms. In response, Meta announced that it would no longer allow news publishers to monetize their content on Facebook and Instagram in Canada.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez declared, "We are suspending our advertising on Facebook and Instagram until Meta agrees to comply with the law. We will not tolerate tech giants bullying our news organizations."

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The government's decision has garnered support from media organizations and certain politicians. Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, stated, "This sends a strong message from the government that they will not tolerate Meta's attempts to undermine our news industry."

While Meta has expressed willingness to negotiate with the Canadian government, it has not confirmed whether it will ultimately comply with the Online News Act.

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The suspension of advertising by the Canadian government deals a significant blow to Facebook and Instagram. As one of the platforms' largest advertisers, the government's decision could result in a substantial decline in revenue for Meta.

This development underscores the escalating tensions between governments and tech giants concerning online content. Governments worldwide have been intensifying their scrutiny of tech companies, and they are increasingly seeking to regulate their operations.

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The suspension of advertising on Facebook and Instagram signifies that this friction is expected to persist in the foreseeable future.