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Facebook News Deprecation in Europe

Facebook News Deprecation in Europe
by
September 6, 2023
in Marketing, Social Media
452

In a recent announcement, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, revealed that users in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany will bid farewell to a dedicated news tab as of December. The move marks a strategic shift as the social networking giant redirects its focus and resources toward short-form video content, notably exemplified by its TikTok-inspired Reels feature. This decision follows the company’s earlier suspension of news access on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, a response to the Online News Act passed by the Canadian government, which mandates tech companies to compensate news outlets for content distribution.

The End of Facebook News in the UK, France, and Germany

Starting in December, Facebook users in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany will notice a significant change in their user experience. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is planning to “deprecate” the Facebook News tab in these European countries. This decision is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to realign its investments with the products and services that users value most.

Meta has clarified that it intends to allocate more time and financial resources to short-form video content, a trend that has gained immense popularity in recent years. One of the notable features in this genre is Reels, a TikTok-like offering from Meta. According to Meta’s insights, news content constitutes less than 3% of the material that users encounter in their Facebook feeds.

Despite the discontinuation of Facebook News in these regions, Meta has committed to honoring the existing obligations it made to publishers in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. However, the company has made it clear that it will not be entering into new agreements with news publishers and has no immediate plans to introduce new products tailored for the news industry.

The Evolution of Facebook News

Meta first introduced Facebook News in 2019 with the aim of bringing people closer to the stories that impact their lives. The feature was designed to provide users with a dedicated section for news articles, thereby enhancing their access to quality journalism within the Facebook ecosystem.

However, the decision to deprecate Facebook News represents a broader shift away from the news business for Meta. This shift is underscored by the recent suspension of news access on both Facebook and Instagram in Canada. The Online News Act passed by the Canadian government required tech firms to pay content fees to media outlets operating in the country.

Meta's Stance on the Canadian Legislation

Meta’s reaction to the Canadian legislation was swift and unapologetic. The company expressed its disagreement with the law, stating that it believed the legislation misrepresented the value that news outlets receive when choosing to use their platforms. Furthermore, Meta contended that the law was based on an incorrect premise, suggesting that Meta unfairly benefited from news content shared on its platforms.

Nevertheless, this stance sparked considerable debate among news experts. Many criticized Meta’s decision to block users from viewing or posting news links in Canada, arguing that it could lead to an increase in misinformation and negatively impact local news organizations. This episode served as a reminder of the complex interplay between tech giants, the news industry, and regulatory efforts aimed at balancing the scales.

Five Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Meta discontinuing Facebook News in the UK, France, and Germany?
Meta has decided to deprecate the Facebook News tab in these European countries to better align its investments with the products and services that users value the most. The company plans to focus more on short-form video content, such as Reels, which has gained popularity.

Will Meta continue to honor its obligations to news publishers in these countries?
Yes, Meta has committed to honoring its existing obligations to publishers in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. However, the company does not intend to enter into new agreements with news publishers and has no immediate plans for new news-related products.

What was the original purpose of Facebook News when it was introduced in 2019?
Facebook News was introduced in 2019 with the goal of bringing users closer to the stories that impact their lives. It aimed to provide a dedicated section for news articles within the Facebook platform.

Why did Meta suspend news access on Facebook and Instagram in Canada?
Meta suspended news access in Canada in response to the Online News Act passed by the Canadian government, which required tech companies to compensate news outlets for content distribution. Meta disagreed with the legislation, claiming it misrepresented the value news outlets receive from their platforms.

What are the concerns raised by news experts regarding Meta’s decision to block news links in Canada?
News experts have expressed concerns that Meta’s decision could lead to an increase in misinformation and negatively impact local news organizations. Blocking news links may disrupt the flow of accurate and reliable information to users in Canada, potentially eroding the quality of news consumption.

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