Google tests blocking news content for some Canadians

Feb 22 (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google is rolling out tests that block access to news content for some Canadian users, the company confirmed on Wednesday, in what it says is a test run of a potential response to the government’s online news bill.

The “Online News Act,” or House of Commons bill C-18, introduced in April by Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, laid out rules to force platforms like Meta’s (META.O) Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial deals and pay news publishers for their content.