Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Facebook is back in talks with the government after the technology platform decided to restrict Australian users from sharing news.
“What makes me happy is that Facebook is back on the table. And that is what we want to see, ”Morrison said at a news conference on Saturday morning, local time. “We want to solve this problem. Therefore, I am pleased that they have returned to getting involved with the government, as they should. “
The company “tried to make us friends again,” he joked.
The comments mark the latest development in a back and forth between Sydney and Facebook over a proposed law that would make the platform pay publishers for content.
Facebook announced this week that it would reduce the ability of Australian publishers to share or post content on their pages and limit Australian users to view or share links and publications from international publishers.
Morrison spoke out against the proposal, urging Facebook to reverse its decision.
“The idea of shutting down the types of sites they closed yesterday, as some kind of threat – well, I know how Australians react to that and I thought it was not a good move on their part,” said Morrison on Friday.
“These actions were completely indefensible,” he added on Saturday.
The implications of the law for Australia’s relations with major technology platforms are drawing the attention of lawmakers in other countries who are meditating on their own regulatory measures.
While Facebook took a strict stance against the law, Google struck deals with News Corp and Seven West Media for content.