A group of French news publishers have filed a lawsuit against Twitter, accusing the social media giant of violating a French law that requires it to pay for the use of news content on its platform. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday by the Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale (APIG), which represents more than 300 newspapers and magazines in France.
The APIG claims that Twitter has not complied with the law, which was passed in 2019 and is based on a European Union directive that aims to protect the rights of news publishers and ensure fair remuneration for their work. The law requires online platforms such as Google and Facebook to negotiate with news publishers and pay them for displaying snippets of their articles or linking to their websites.
However, the APIG alleges that Twitter has circumvented the law by changing its terms of service in June 2020, which allowed it to use any content posted by users without paying any fees. The APIG also accuses Twitter of not engaging in good faith negotiations with the news publishers and refusing to share any data on how their content is used on its platform.
The APIG is seeking damages of €150 million ($177 million) from Twitter, as well as an injunction to force it to comply with the law and pay for the use of news content.
The Response from Twitter
Twitter has denied any wrongdoing and said that it respects the rights of news publishers. A spokesperson for Twitter said that the company has been in regular contact with the APIG and other stakeholders since the law was enacted, and that it has offered several solutions to address their concerns.
The spokesperson also said that Twitter does not display snippets or previews of news articles on its platform, unlike other online platforms, and that it only shows links that users choose to share. The spokesperson added that Twitter supports journalism and provides tools and features for news publishers to reach and engage with their audiences.
The Implications for the Industry
The lawsuit is the latest development in the ongoing dispute between online platforms and news publishers over the use and monetization of news content. The issue has been a source of tension and litigation in several countries, including Australia, Germany, Spain, and Canada.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of the news industry and the digital economy. If the APIG wins, it could set a precedent for other news publishers to demand payment from Twitter and other online platforms. If Twitter wins, it could undermine the efforts of news publishers to secure fair compensation for their work and challenge the validity of the French law and the EU directive.
The lawsuit also raises questions about the role and responsibility of online platforms in distributing and promoting news content, as well as the impact of their algorithms and policies on the diversity and quality of information available to users.
