Facebook faces international criticism after tech giant blocks users from seeing news in Australia

First, the Australian government proposed bringing in a law to make tech giants pay for content from news organisations. Then Facebook and Google fought back claiming it was unfair and “fundamentally misunderstands” how social media platforms publish news.

But while Google backed down and signed a multi-year deal with News Corp, Facebook last night blocked news reaching its Australian users.

Now Australia’s prime minister has attacked the social media platform, branding it “arrogant” and said his government won’t be intimidated into abandoning the law.