Google blocks access to California news in protest of bill requiring payment from tech companies

Google has started blocking news articles for some people in California, the company announced on Friday. Stories from California-based news organizations will not be available for an unspecified number of state residents who use Google to search the web, in a show of its might as Google attempts to quash a state proposal it has been fighting for years.

In California, the pending law in question would force tech companies like Google and Meta to pay publishers for news content. Supporters say it would offer a lifeline to California’s news organizations, which have long been shedding jobs. But Google has been resisting the bill, arguing that being subject to what it calls “a link tax” for connecting California residents with news articles is “unworkable.”

According to Google executive Jaffer Zaidi, the blackout of California news articles is in anticipation of the bill passing. He said the move was temporary and would affect “a small percentage of California users.” In 2023, Google made $307 billion, mostly through digital advertising.

Advocates of the bill argue that tech giants like Google have built their companies off the backs of journalists while siphoning off revenue from news publishers. They see the legislation as a crucial step toward preserving the public interest in California. The bill, which was also introduced last year but did not gain traction, is now hoping to advance and reach Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration.