For international news publishers, news publishers and broadcasters outside of Canada can still post links to news and content, but that content is no longer available to users in Canada.

However, users in Canada will no longer be able to view and share news content on Facebook and Instagram, including news articles and audiovisual content published by news media.

Meta also emphasized that there will be no changes to Meta services for people using the platform outside of Canada.

“There will be no changes to our services for people using our platform outside of Canada,” Meta wrote on its official blog.

Here is the official statement from Meta which was updated on Tuesday (1/8/2023):

Business decisions to comply with the Online Information Act

Almost a year ago, we expressed our fears that the law on online information would force us to think about defending the sharing of information on our platforms.

We have been transparent and explained to the Government of Canada that the law misrepresents the value that media outlets get when they choose to use our platform.

The law is based on the misconception that Meta unfairly profits from news content shared on its platform, when the opposite is true.

News media voluntarily publish content on Facebook and Instagram to increase their readership and increase their profits. On the other hand, we know that it's not the news that drives people to use our platform.

Although the regulatory process is underway, it unfortunately does not allow for changes to fundamental elements of the law, which is currently unrealistic.

Our only recourse to reasonably comply with this law is to terminate access to the news for Canadian users.

We announced these changes, which take effect today, to provide clear answers to the millions of Canadians and businesses who use our platform.

Canadians can still use our platform to connect with friends, family and groups, as well as interact with their local communities and make discoveries.

Collaborate to facilitate online access to information

Canadians will still have access to news online by going directly to news media sites, downloading mobile news apps and subscribing to their favorite media outlets.

Meta collaborated with Quebec digital media specialist Nellie Brière to educate the public on how to continue to have access to local news and information. Click here to view the guide.

We're proud of the role we play in supporting a healthy and diverse information ecosystem.

Our free tools and services enabled local media to connect with their communities and established media to continue to grow their marketing without an audience, generating an estimated value of CA$230 million over a 12-month period.

Moving forward, we hope that the Government of Canada will recognize the value we have brought to the information sector and adopt policies that support the principles of a free and open Internet, that encourage diversity and innovation and which take into account the interests of society. all the news media and press publishers that make up the Canadian media landscape.