Google maintains that the purpose of the test is to “gather information” about the potential impacts of Ottawa’s online news bill, which it opposes.
OTTAWA — In a rare display of unity, MPs of all political stripes have lambasted Google for its decision to filter news content for some Canadians, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown should the global search giant apply its news ban nationwide.
Kee reiterated that the purpose of the test is to “gather information” about the potential impacts of Ottawa’s online news bill, which is currently before the Senate. The bill, also known as C-18, would compel web giants like Facebook and Google to share some of the revenue they make from posting news content on their platforms with the media outlets that produce the stories.
She regularly deferred her questions to Kee, earning the ire of MPs until the Liberals took the unusual route of asking for the pair to be sworn in under oath mid-meeting. Witnesses are not typically sworn in to such meetings, but can be called upon to do so at the discretion of committee members, and can be charged with perjury for lying under oath.
Geremia underlined that Google was not actually blocking news because content could still easily be accessed from online news sites. That rationale didn’t fly with MPs, who argued that the secretive nature of the test imperiled Canadians’ ability to access critical information. “Certainly, the seriousness to which this has been communicated to us is well taken, and we will definitely be taking that message back internally,” Kee said.
On Friday, Geremia posted an “open letter to Canadians” on Google’s blog, which also now appears on its search home page.
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