Illustrated image. (Photo: EPA-EFE/VNA)

The move was a direct response to Australia’s proposed “new media code,” which would force Google and Facebook to pay news publishers for the right to link to their content in news feeds or search results.

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg had a 30-minute discussion with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to find a way out of the current situation, adding that more negotiations will continue later this week.

On the same day, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Facebook to lift its ban on news access for Australian users and return to the negotiating table with media organizations. He described Facebook’s move Thursday to prevent Australians from accessing and sharing news as a threat.

Mr. Morrison said he discussed the situation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.