Facebook accidentally blocks own page during Australian news takedown – CNET

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Facebook’s page in Australia restored.

Facebook’s sudden decision to restrict people in Australia from reading and sharing news on Thursday yielded an ironic consequence for the social media giant.

Facebook began restricting people in Australia from viewing and sharing news Thursday in response to the government’s proposed legislation. Known as the News Media Bargaining Code, it requires Big Tech companies like Facebook and Google to pay news publishers for their content, to which the companies link on their respective platforms.
Screenshot by Nicole Archer/CNET

According to multiple reports, Facebook accidentally restricted its own Facebook page on Thursday in Australia, before restoring it later in the day. An Australian journalist posted a screenshot on Twitter capturing the Facebook page in its limited state, showing a missing cover photo and a barren timeline with only the words “No posts yet.” Facebook didn’t respond to a CNET request for confirmation.