Google Threatens to Shut down Search in Australia If Digital News Code Goes Ahead

Google has threatened to remove its search engine from Australia if a code forcing the company to negotiate payments to news media companies goes ahead, saying the proposal sets a “dangerous precedent”.

Last week it was revealed Google was testing removing news sites, including Guardian Australia, from search results for about 1% of its Australian users as the company continued to push against a code that would force it to negotiate with news outlets to pay for linking to news articles in search results.

But on Friday Google said it was prepared to go much further, and pull the entire search function from Australia.

Update 22/01/2021:

Our PM responded “..we don’t respond to threats”

Google responds “It’s not a threat. It’s a reality“