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Google News warns that link tax would result in European shut down

 

18 November 2018

Richard Gingras (vice-president of Google News) has reported (via The Guardian) that Google News has not ruled out shutting down services in European countries should article 11 (the so-called “link tax”) be implemented. Notably, Google News previously shut down in Spain in response to the implementation of a similar provision. Gringas cautions article 11 may furthermore result in reduced audiences for smaller publishers, and consequently lower availability of stories for consumers; describing this as something “we would not like to see happen”, he calls for improved dialogue with stakeholders.