Andrew Forrest slams ‘bully’ Facebook over news threats
‘This is yet another example of Facebook doing anything they can to avoid accountability at the expense of what’s best for communities’: Andrew Forrest.
Billionaire philanthropist Andrew Forrest has criticised Facebook over its threats to dump Australian news outlets from its platforms, labelling the social media giant a “socially reprehensible” bully.
The iron ore magnate, who has long criticised Facebook and other internet giants over their failure to wipe out fraudulent advertising that is estimated to generate them hundreds of millions in revenue, called for even tougher regulation of the sector.
“Facebook’s faux outrage and campaign to resist the ACCC’s proposals is embarrassing and demonstrates their repeated attempts to avoid proper regulation of their practices,” Dr Forrest said.
“This is yet another example of Facebook doing anything they can to avoid accountability at the expense of what’s best for communities and vital sections of democracies such as the news media.”
Facebook broke its silence on the proposed news media bargaining code on Tuesday, declaring it would be forced to block all news in Australia from Facebook and Instagram if the legislation went ahead.
The legislation would require tech giants such as Facebook and Google to pay media companies fairly for news.
Dr Forrest has become a vocal critic of Facebook after what he saw as a lack of action by the social media giant over fraudulent ads on its platform, including those using the likeness of him and other Australian personalities.
One Western Australian woman in particular lost $670,000 in life savings after falling for a bitcoin scam promoted on Facebook and LinkedIn using Dr Forrest’s likeness, months after Dr Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation alerted the social media giants to the ads.
While Facebook has said it could strip Australian news outlets from its platforms, it has so far struggled to wipe out fraudulent advertising. Minderoo last month revealed it would pump an initial $20 million into establishing a Tech Impact Network, involving top universities across Australia and the world, to study the societal impacts of new technology and driving policy reform to ensure accountability and protect the public from harm. Dr Forrest said Minderoo was looking forward to collaborating with the ACCC and other public institutions “in getting even tougher” with companies such as Facebook.
“These tech giants seem to think they are above the law and treat communities around the world with disdain. Enough is enough.” he said. “Now is not the time to cower or hide. I, for one, look forward to pushing back hard against these bullies.” Facebook’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Will Easton, said this week that the company would have to either remove news or accept a system “that lets publishers charge us for as much content as they want at a price with no clear limits”.
Mr Easton said Facebook would continue to work with governments and regulators “who rightly hold our feet to the fire”.
“But successful regulation, like the best journalism, will be grounded in and built on facts. In this instance, it is not,” he said.
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