Australia expands digital news payment law to include LinkedIn

Australia is taking a major step to support its local journalism industry by updating its digital media laws.

In August 2026, the government expanded its News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) to include professional networking platforms, specifically targeting Microsoft-owned LinkedIn.

This move recognizes that news is consumed across diverse digital spaces, not just traditional social media.

Under the new rules, platforms earning at least A$250 million in Australian digital advertising revenue must contribute a 2.5% levy to support local news.

While tech companies argue that these measures function as a digital services tax, the Australian government maintains that large platforms must help sustain the journalism that benefits their ecosystems.

This proactive approach reflects Australia's role as a global leader in digital media policy, following in the footsteps of countries like Canada.