Key takeaways: 

• The Wall Street Journal said that Facebook used an algorithm it knew would impact pages above those of publishers in Australia ahead of pending legislation that would make digital platforms pay news platforms for their content.
• Consequently, pages for the Australian government and health services were taken down as the nation started moving out of its Covid vaccination program, the Journal reported.
• The report details step Facebook took ahead of new legislation that would make digital platforms like Facebook and Google pay for news to say that content on information feeds or in search results.

The Wall Street Journal said that Facebook used an algorithm it understood would impact pages past those of publishers in Australia ahead of pending legislation that would create digital platforms to pay news platforms for their content.

Consequently, pages for the Australian government and health services were taken down as the nation started balling out its Covid vaccination program, the Journal reported.

The Journal said the social media giant did not inform the concerned pages in advance. The report said that the takedown was launched before a requests process was prepared — a break from the typical procedure.

Whistleblowers filed documents and testimony to U.S. and Australian authorities accusing Facebook wanted to place full pressure on Australian lawmakers voting on the law.