Time to get tough with 'bully' Facebook, UK lawmaker and publishers say

A 3D printed Facebook logo is seen in front of displayed Australia's flag in this illustration photo taken February 18, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

LONDON (Reuters) - Facebook's move to block all news content in Australia is an attempt to bully a democracy and will stiffen the resolve of legislators across the world to get tough with the tech giants, a senior British lawmaker said.

The move by Facebook, launched just 17 years ago, shocked Australia and sent shivers through the global news industry which has already seen its business model turned upside down by the titans of the technological revolution.