Google, Meta Face Penalties for Anti-Competitive Behaviour Towards South African News Media
Google may be liable for compensating South African media outlets up to 500 million rand ($27.29 million) annually, following findings of anti-competitive practices by the Competition Commission of South Africa. The investigation revealed that Google's search algorithms favor global over local news, significantly harming the local media landscape over the past 14 years. Recommendations include compensatory payments and changes to improve traffic referrals for South African news media, with potential fines if compliance is not achieved.
- This situation highlights the ongoing struggle between tech giants and local media, raising questions about the responsibility of global platforms in supporting regional content creators and preserving local journalism.
- What implications will these penalties have on the operational strategies of tech companies in other emerging markets facing similar scrutiny?