Canada’s Proposed Link Tax Law Could Break the Internet as We Know It

Updated: 30-06-2023, 04.15 PM

Google, Facebook, and other tech giants are sounding the alarm over a proposed link tax law in Canada that they say could break the internet as we know it.

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Link Tax Law

Link Tax Law, which is currently being considered by the Canadian government, would require websites to pay a fee for each link they include to another website. This would have several negative consequences, including:

It would make it more expensive for websites to operate, which could lead to higher costs for consumers.
It would discourage the creation of new links, which would make it harder for people to find information online.
It would give a competitive advantage to large websites that can afford to pay the fees, which could stifle innovation.

Google argues that the link tax would be a major infringement on freedom of expression. It would also make it more difficult for people to find news articles, as they would have to pay to access them.

“This law would have a chilling effect on the free flow of information online,” said Kent Walker, Google’s global affairs and chief legal officer. “It would make it harder for people to find and share news, and it would discourage innovation.”

The link tax is just one of several proposals that have been put forward in recent years to regulate the Internet. Other proposals include requiring social media companies to remove harmful content more quickly and giving users more control over their data.

Google has been a vocal critic of these proposals, arguing that they would stifle innovation and harm the free flow of information online. The company has also said that it would be forced to withdraw its services from countries that implement these kinds of regulations.

It remains to be seen whether the Canadian government will pass the link tax law. However, Google’s warning is a sign that the company is prepared to fight back against any attempt to regulate the internet.

Google and other tech giants have argued that the link tax is a form of censorship that would undermine the open nature of the internet. They have also pointed out that the law is unnecessary, as there are already laws in place that protect copyright holders.

The Canadian government is expected to decide on the link tax law in the coming months. If the law is passed, it could have a major impact on the internet landscape in Canada and around the world.

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