Australia: Microsoft seeks to fill the void that Google could leave
Microsoft CEO Satya Nardella at a company created by Bill Gates event on October 2, 2019 in New York City.
AP - Mark Lennihan
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Microsoft has a "plan B" if Google carries out its threats to leave Australia in the event that Canberra completes its project to force the digital giants to pay the media.
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The conversation dates from the days following the threat of Mel Silva, director of Google Australia, to suspend his search engine.
Responsive, Microsoft boss Satya Nadella spoke with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
He mentioned the possibility of developing the Bing search engine of the firm created by Bill Gates, according to the daily
The Australian
, claiming to have a "
Plan B
".
Australian Finance Minister Josh Frydenberg confirmed this telephone exchange, specifying that the government was in deep negotiations with "
market players
".
The Canberra government has drawn up a "
code of conduct
" that would oblige Facebook and Google to pay Australian news groups when they resume their content.
These two American giants have threatened to block their main services in Australia if this new law is adopted.
Microsoft "
not directly involved
"
Australia reserves the right to impose this code on other platforms and doubts remain that Microsoft's MSN service, which links to Australian information, may be affected.
“
With respect to the current controversy over a possible code of conduct governing Google and Facebook, Microsoft is not directly involved and we do not wish to comment on the ongoing process,
” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement.
Zuckerberg is pushing
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg is also pushing Australia.
He contacted Josh Frydenberg last week to discuss the code and its consequences.
The Australian minister described this exchange on ABC as "
very constructive
" but that he had "
not convinced him to go back
".
Facebook has warned that it could prevent Internet users on the island continent from sharing Australian information on its platform.
"
What I do know is that the media should be paid for the content,
" Josh Frydenberg recalled.
Whether it's this issue, cyberbullying or terrorist content on the internet, we are prepared to take on the digital giants.
Google and Facebook are expected to pay penalties of several million euros for violating Australia's new law.
►
See also: Australia: new action by Google against the law on press remuneration
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