In the recent development, Microsoft has announced that it will support the media bargaining code proposed by the Australian government. If Google ends up exiting from Australia failing to meet the new regulation rules, Microsoft and its search engine Bing will fill the hole left by Google.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison said on Monday that if Google exits Australia, the people will be presented with a plethora of alternatives in its wake. Furthermore, Minister of Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher also supported Microsoft, and that if Google leaves, other players on the market would happily invest into the alternatives for Google. Microsoft in response has said it is committed to Australia and the news publishers that are “vital to the country’s democracy”.
“The code reasonably attempts to address the bargaining power imbalance between digital platforms and Australian news businesses. It also recognizes the important role search plays, not only to consumers but to the thousands of Australian small businesses that rely on search and advertising technology to fund and support their organizations,” – Microsoft President Brad Smith.
He further mentioned that Microsoft is willing to comply with the new rules designated by the government. Smith assured that Microsoft will help small businesses who wish to transfer their advertising to Bing; this transfer will be free of transfer costs. “We will invest further to ensure Bing is comparable to our competitors and we remind people that they can help, with every search, Bing gets better at finding what you are looking for,” he said.
Both Google and Facebook have claimed that the new laws and regulation is not something that the companies could work with, and as such both the companies announced last month that they will withdraw key services from Australia if the government decides to move on ahead with the new laws.
