Microsoft Corp has disclosed on Wednesday that it completely upheld proposed new laws in Australia that would constrain web giant Google and Facebook Inc to pay homegrown news sources for their content.
“While Microsoft is not subject to the legislation currently pending, we’d be willing to live by these rules if the government designates us,” the software firm said in a statement.
“The code reasonably attempts to address the bargaining power imbalance between digital platforms and Australian news businesses.”
Both Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook have called the laws impossible and said a month ago they would pull out some critical administrations from Australia if the guidelines proceeded.
Microsoft is already promoting its search engine, Bing, in Australia, due to the possibility of Google pulling out from the region when the policy goes into effect. The company even recently held talks with Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
PM Scott Morrison said on Monday that Microsoft was prepared to step in and extend its search engine, Bing, in Australia if Google pulls its search after he talked with Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella a week ago.
Microsoft in its statement stated that it will offer small firms a chance to transfer advertising business to Bing with no costs and that it would invest further in the product to ensure it is competitive.
Google is yet to respond to a request for comment sent by Reuters. Google’s internet search engine has 94% of the nation’s search market, as indicated by industry information.
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(source)
