Microsoft's Bing will take over if Google withdraws says Australian PM

Google and Facebook have both threatened to halt and pull out their services in Australia if it proceeds with its implementation of a new media policy. The News Media Bargaining Code of Australia will force the two companies to pay news agencies if their contents appear on their respective platforms.

With Google threatening to block searches in the land Down Under, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that they could just replace the search engine. Since the American tech company is fighting to avoid paying media companies for their content, the PM said on Monday, Feb. 1, that they can just shift to Bing, a Microsoft-powered search engine.

Australia will allow Google to leave and use a new service

Morrison spoke before the National Press Club of Australia and suggested that Australia has no plans of backing down and amend the new media policy. He did this by saying that the Aussies can simply use Bing for their online searches. The PM is clearly indicating that it is ready to let Google withdraw if it really wishes to.

The prime minister further said that Microsoft is ready and confident that it can provide a good service and fill in the void that will be left by Google. Likewise, in the event that it will carry out its threat, Australia can move on with a new search engine.

“These are big technology companies and what’s important to Australia, I think, is that we set the rules that are right for our people,” PM Morrison stated during the conference. “Having a news environment in this country that is one that is sustainable and is supported commercially, then this is vital to how democracies function.”

The PM also confirmed that he already had a meeting with Microsoft’s executives, and their discussion has been productive. He revealed this fact when a reporter asked if he is confident that an alternate search engine can surely replace Google and the Australians will not experience issues with it.

“I can tell you Microsoft’s pretty confident,” he said. “When I spoke to Satya Nadella (Microsoft’s CEO) the other day, there was a bit of that.”

In any case, as the Associated Press reported, Google is also firm with its decision regarding Australia’s Media Bargaining Code. The company stated at a Senate hearing in January that it is more likely to cut its search engine service in Australia if its government’s plans will go ahead.

Microsoft expressed readiness to replace Google

Meanwhile, Microsoft released a statement about the possibility of providing an online search service to Australia through its Bing platform. The company did not provide specific details of what MS and PM Morrison have talked about and also clarified that it has no direct involvement in the issues concerning Google and the Australian lawmakers.

“We recognize the importance of a vibrant media sector and public interest journalism in a democracy and we recognize the challenges the media sector has faced over many years,” Microsoft stated. “With respect to the current controversy over a potential code of conduct governing Google and Facebook, Microsoft is not directly involved and we wouldn’t want to comment on that ongoing process involving the ACCC and those companies.”