Decoder with Nilay Patel

Australia vs Facebook — and how regulation is splintering the internet, with Atlassian CEO Scott Farquhar

Mar 16, 2021
Scott Farquhar, co-founder and co-CEO of Atlassian, dives into the friction between Australia and tech giants like Facebook over the Media Bargaining Code. He highlights how this regulation shapes global tech while underscoring the crucial role of public policy in running a tech company today. The discussion expands on the dangers of a splintered internet and the need for better communication between lawmakers and tech firms. Farquhar also reflects on how evolving work dynamics and regulatory challenges are reshaping the tech landscape.
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ANECDOTE

Facebook's Australian News Block

  • Facebook blocked Australian news links during a regulatory dispute.
  • Google negotiated but Facebook blocked news access, impacting global users.
INSIGHT

Media Bargaining Code Impact

  • Australia's Media Bargaining Code forces platforms to pay news publishers for links.
  • This law has implications for how the web functions and could splinter it nationally.
ANECDOTE

Atlassian's Global Start

  • Atlassian started by selling Jira, a bug tracker for software developers, globally online at a low price.
  • Early sales were primarily outside Australia, highlighting the internet's power.
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