Facebook’s announcement of restricting news content sharing in Australia has raised concerns about misinformation and fake news dominating the platform in the country with credible sources being cut off, reported AFP. The social media giant has acted in response to the tougher regulations imposed by the Australian government, which will force Facebook and Google to pay for the news stories shown on their platforms.

From Thursday, Australians were unable to post links to news articles or view the Facebook pages of media outlets, while Aussie news sources disappeared from the site globally.

The move has certainly sparked an angry backlash from the country’s citizens.

Several critical government agencies and Facebook pages, tasked with issuing emergency and raising awareness, were initially caught up in the news ban before Facebook began restoring them.

But unaffected by the blackout were a series of pages owned by purveyors of fake news and conspiracy theories — despite their frequently posting about current events.

“By restricting independent, professionally produced news in Australia, Facebook is allowing the promotion of conspiracy theories, misinformation, fake news and QAnon crackpots on its platform,” representative Marcus Strom of Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance said.

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However, a Facebook spokesperson said the company is committed to battle misinformation on the platform.

The Facebook blackout came just days ahead of Australia’s planned vaccine rollout, raising concerns official health messaging could be drowned out by anti-vaxxer voices.

“I would say again to Facebook, think again. You may be in it for the money, but the rest of us are in it for safety, protection and responsibility,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

“This is the moment to return to your origins. Where you were meant to be, as a company, focused on community, engagement, not on the money,” Hunt said.

Critics have also hit out at the speed and scope of Facebook’s action against Australia after years of what they described as its apparent reluctance to clear the platform of violence, hate speech and misinformation.

Facebook has said it generates hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Australian media organisations through clicks.