The decision is yet another result of the clash between the government and the technology giant, which is critical of the bill that obliges companies in the sector to pay the press for the use of their content.
The Australian Department of Health has announced that it will stop posting ads on Facebook in the latest chapter in the battle between the government and the technology giant, which continues to block news on its platform in the country.
The decision coincides with the government’s $ 20 million advertising campaign to convince the population to get the vaccine and fight conspiracy theories about immunization.
Understand the bill that wants to collect payment from the ‘big techs’
Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday that his department would proceed with the publicity campaign to encourage vaccination, but not on Facebook. “All of our resources will be used,” said Hunt.
Facebook criticizes the law that Australia is about to pass and which aims to compel major technology companies to pay the media for the use of their content. In retaliation, the social network blocked Australian media news from its platform last Thursday.
Parliament is expected to pass the law during the week and Facebook is expected to negotiate a solution with the Australian press and government.
Facebook’s blunt response contrasts with Google, which has reached deals with several press groups, such as Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and the British newspaper The Guardian, to pay for the use of its news.
Australia started the vaccination campaign on Sunday. Octogenarian Jane Malysiak, a survivor of World War II, was the first to be immunized.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other senior government officials also received the first dose of the vaccine. Health professionals and other priority groups will be vaccinated during the week.
