I hit my first instance of Meta blocking Canadian news content.
Rachael sent me a story from #CBCVancouver via Instagram messages.
The thumbnail is visible in messages (1), but when I click, I get the restricted message (2)
I wasn’t following the CBCVancouver account, and when I search for and visit the profile, I get a different message (3)
I guess Rachael hasn’t had this rolled out to her account yet.
Remember, there are no good guys in this #BillC18 debacle.
The big picture might be nuanced, but link taxes aren’t. They’re a ridiculous way to try and solve a problem.
Would it be fair to charge a phonebook for listing the mailing address of a business/person? No. Mailing addresses are just bits of information that describe where to find something. Same with links.
If a business wants to make money from people going to their physical location, they stop you at the door and ask for a ticket. They don’t go after phonebooks for telling people where they’re located.