On Tuesday, Meta Platforms announced that it will phase out the “Facebook News” feature on its social media platform in the UK, France, and Germany later this year.
Despite this change, users will still have access to links to news articles, and European news publishers will retain their Facebook accounts and pages post-implementation in December, the company indicated.
However, Meta will not pursue new commercial agreements regarding news content through “Facebook News,” nor will it introduce product innovations for news publishers in these regions.
“Facebook News,” which compiles a curated feed of news articles, exists as a dedicated tab within the bookmarks section of the Facebook app.
According to Meta, “News accounts for less than 3 percent of what people around the world encounter in their Facebook feed, making it a minor aspect of the overall user experience on the platform.”
The company faces increasing scrutiny from global lawmakers, similar to its tech counterpart Alphabet, pressing for a larger share of advertising revenue to be allocated to news publishers.
In a parallel move, Meta has begun blocking news content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for users in Canada in response to a new legislative requirement for tech companies to compensate news publishers. Australia introduced a similar law back in 2021.
In its blog statement, Meta explained that this decision is part of its broader strategy to refine its products and services. The company believes users primarily utilize Facebook to connect with others and explore new opportunities rather than to consume news and political content.
