The move comes as the company and the Australian government brokered a deal on the country’s impending legislation, which compels the social media giant (and Google) to pay for news. Under the terms of the agreement, Facebook won’t automatically be subject to arbitration, while the government will acknowledge separate deals between Facebook and publishers. (The Logic)
Talking point: Facebook’s five-day suspension of Australian news content, which saw public health sites removed as well, was widely seen as a climbdown for the mighty platform—particularly as several other countries, Canada included, are considering similar legislation. Microsoft, meanwhile, has backed Australia’s legislation, and recently struck a deal with several European publishing lobbyist groups to have similar laws in the EU.