Canadian users were met with a frustrating issue on Threads earlier, but Meta claimed that it already fixed the bug that prevented the region from accessing news sites or getting a preview as shared on its app. While it is widely known that Meta already pulled out news content for Canada's region earlier this year, Threads is not part of the regulation under the country's new law.
Facebook and Instagram may not be the same as it was before this Canadian law, but Threads is not yet affected as revealed by the company.
Meta Threads' News Content is Back in Canada for All
(Photo : Julio Lopez from Unsplash)
Various Canadian users on Threads have posted their screenshots when using the platform to browse news or click the links shared via the platform, showing that it is blocked.
That being said, Meta has already confirmed that it fixed the bug that prevented users from reading news stories shared on the platform temporarily. According to Engadget, it remains unknown how long Meta has faced this bug on the Threads platform.
Previously, users who accessed shared news via Threads in Canada were greeted with a notice from Meta saying "People in Canada can't view this content."
Furthermore, the block explained that "Content from news publications can't be viewed in Canada in response to Canadian government legislation."
Read Also: Threads DM is Coming Soon, Adam Mosseri Reveals Work-No More App Switching?
Post by @ipedroView on Threads
Bug Fixed: Threads Not Affected by Canada Law
A user asked the Instagram CEO by tagging him on a post, stating "How will Threads replace Twitter when I can't even click on a news story in Canada without getting blocked by Meta?"
Nevertheless, the temporary bug was already fixed, with a Meta spokesperson claiming that Threads would not be affected by Canada's Online News Act, as the framework does not apply to the app for now.
Threads and Meta's Response to the Law
Earlier this year, Meta confirmed that it will no longer allow news content in the Canadian region for its users to access, centering on the block taking place on Facebook and Instagram. This is after Canada passed its law that centers on the Online News Act, the infamous legislation that will require companies to pay news agencies for showcasing their content on online platforms.
Despite this massive move that defies Canadian law, Instagram's top executive, Adam Mosseri, previously said that Threads will not be "anti-news," highlighting that these types of content will remain. However, it was also said before that Threads will not be a place that will center on "breaking news" stories, unlike Twitter (now X) which has been popular because of it.
More importantly, Threads is only starting, so offering users without access to news or not being a hub for news consumption would greatly affect its user base who rely on these platforms for the latest updates. That being said, the initial bug that users experienced on Threads is now fixed, with Meta claiming that it is not affected by the Online News Act for now.
Related Article: Meta Announces Fact-Checking Initiative for Threads, Launching Next Year
