Meta's news ban is preventing Canadians from sharing vital information about the wildfires ripping through western Canada

Sat, 08/19/2023 - 14:39

An aerial view of a forest burning in Canada's Northwest Territories. — Meta began blocking access to Canada's domestic news sites on August 1.
Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters

Meta banned Canadian users from viewing or sharing news content on its platforms August 1.
Now, residents say the ban has prevented people from sharing vital news as wildfires tear through western Canada.
Canada's Heritage Minister labeled the ban "reckless" and called on Meta to lift it immediately.

Canadians say Meta's news ban is having tangible consequences as they try to share news about a series of devastating wildfires prompting evacuations in Northwest Territories and British Columbia.