Facebook’s decision to ban news content in Australia has sparked a global debate on its massive powers and about US tech firms’ market dominance over media organizations. This report delves into people’s opinions and concerns about Facebook’s actions and its growing influence. Digital platforms and government agencies can leverage this data in their decision-making.

Facebook barred millions of its users in Australia from finding or posting news content on its platform for almost a week last month before backtracking on the decision. The social media giant was objecting to the legislation that would make it pay for news, a move the Australian government believes will level the playing field for both tech firms and the media. While Google went ahead and struck deals with several Australian media companies before the deadline, Facebook resorted to the ban and brought the government to the negotiating table once again. The contentious media bill, now an official law, is a first of its kind in the world and will likely encourage other countries that are mulling laws of their own to keep Big Tech in check. Amid all these developments, what do Americans think of Facebook’s news ban strategy, and how might such a thing happening in their country affect them? Piplsay polled 30,278 people nationwide to get some insights.

Other Insights

• 65% of men rely a lot on Facebook for news as compared to just 35% of women
• 54% of Millennials and 49% of Gen Xers find Australia’s pay-for-news media bill fair
• 58% of Millennial Facebook users would be comfortable going elsewhere for news as compared to 42% of Gen Zers

Survey Methodology: This Piplsay survey was conducted nationwide in the US from February 26-28, 2021. We received 30,278 online responses from individuals aged 18 years and older.