Karlston Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 Microsoft offers to replace Google if they withdraw from Australia Google and the Australian government are currently embroiled in an argument over whether the company should pay to use snippets from Australian news websites in their Google Search results. Google has threatened to withdraw from the Australian market if the government demands they pay for news, and now the Australian Financial Review reports Microsoft has told the Australian government they stand ready to take their place. According to the AFR, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had direct talks with the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the wake of the threats. “They’re watching this very closely, and no doubt see opportunities here in Australia to expand,” noted Australian Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg. The Australian government are not currently inclined to give in to Google threats of withdrawal, with Morrison saying: “Let me be clear. Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia. That’s done in our Parliament. It’s done by our government. And that’s how things work here in Australia. And people who want to work with that, in Australia, you’re very welcome. But we don’t respond to threats.” Google is not alone, however, with the US Government also supporting the search company, with the US Trade Representative stating on the 15th January in a submission: “We urge Australia to consider whether the potential breadth of the obligation imposed on designated platforms is consistent with … AUSFTA, which constrains parties with respect to performance requirements, specifically requirements to ‘transfer a particular technology, a production process, or other proprietary knowledge to a person in its territory’.” The Australian internet is previously considered “under surveillance” by Reporters Without Borders due to a large number of restrictions placed on internet users there. via Ausdroid Microsoft offers to replace Google if they withdraw from Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microsoft offers to replace Google if they withdraw from Australia Google and the Australian government are currently embroiled in an argument over whether the company should pay to use snippets from Australian news websites in their Google Search results. Google has threatened to withdraw from the Australian market if the government demands they pay for news, and now the Australian Financial Review reports Microsoft has told the Australian government they stand ready to take their place. According to the AFR, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had direct talks with the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the wake of the threats. “They’re watching this very closely, and no doubt see opportunities here in Australia to expand,” noted Australian Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg. The Australian government are not currently inclined to give in to Google threats of withdrawal, with Morrison saying: “Let me be clear. Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia. That’s done in our Parliament. It’s done by our government. And that’s how things work here in Australia. And people who want to work with that, in Australia, you’re very welcome. But we don’t respond to threats.” Google is not alone, however, with the US Government also supporting the search company, with the US Trade Representative stating on the 15th January in a submission: “We urge Australia to consider whether the potential breadth of the obligation imposed on designated platforms is consistent with … AUSFTA, which constrains parties with respect to performance requirements, specifically requirements to ‘transfer a particular technology, a production process, or other proprietary knowledge to a person in its territory’.” The Australian internet is previously considered “under surveillance” by Reporters Without Borders due to a large number of restrictions placed on internet users there. via Ausdroid
Karlston Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Microsoft wants to step up and fill the void if Google exits the Australian market Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wants the company to step up and fill the void if Google decides to leave the Australian market over the disagreement with authorities. In case you don't know, Google is not on best of terms with the Australian government after the company was asked to pay media outlets for re-publishing the news. Last August, Google wrote an open letter criticizing the new legislation called the "News Media Bargaining Code". Under the legislation, companies like Google and Facebook will have to negotiate a fair price with media outlets for re-using their content. Last week, Google released a statement threatening to leave the country which prompted a response from Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia. The PM said that "Australia makes our rules for things you can do in Australia.” He ended the statement noting that Australia does not respond to threats. Following this, the PM of Australia had a discussion with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Microsoft said it wants to expand Bing search engine to Australia and fill the void that will be created if Google decides to leave Australia. At the same time, Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO Facebook held an online meeting to discuss the same issue with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Communications Minister Paul Fletcher. Josh Frydenberg commented the following on the meeting: Mark Zuckerberg didn’t convince me to back down if that’s what you’re asking. Furthermore, he commented the following on Microsoft's meeting with the Australian PM: They’re watching this very closely, and no doubt see opportunities here in Australia to expand. Australia is planning to pass the law in the coming weeks and the country has made it clear that it will not give in to threats made by either Facebook or Google. The country's opposition leader Jim Chalmers supported the country's move to force tech giants into paying the media outlets. The tech platforms should pay for the news that they use so that there’s a return for journalists and news organisations. We’ve said that really since the beginning. This has been dragging on for a really long time now. The government said that they would fix it last year. It’s still clearly not fixed. There’s a lot of uncertainty but our position has been consistent. We want the government to solve it in the interest of Australians. While Microsoft has a great opportunity to capture some market share, given Google's reach it will be hard for the Redmond giant to fill the gap. However, given time, Microsoft should be able to tailor their services for the Australian users. There is still some time before the legislation is passed so we may see both Google and the Australian government find a common ground. In the meantime, you can check out Australia's bargaining code. Microsoft wants to step up and fill the void if Google exits the Australian market Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlston Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Just wish Google would stop adding their annoying whinging cr*p to Aussie users' Search results. Hid another popup. Feedback sent. Looked again at Bing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernStar Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 Scott Morrison the Giant slayer! .........might have to change his name to Jack.... (beanstalk)......lol Chinese Government, Google!, Facebook and the rest, can see an early election coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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