Meta accused Australia of violating a free trade agreement with the U.S. by proposing a new tax on certain tech giants which do not strike ‌licensing deals with local media, escalating a dispute which has simmered for half a decade. The $1.6 ‌trillion Facebook and Instagram owner said a proposal to tax platforms 2.25% of all Australian revenue - including revenue unrelated to social media - ​was "indefensible" and went further than actions which had prompted a response by the U.S. government. Meta has previously said it opposed the so-called news bargaining incentive, for which Australia's centre-left government has published draft legislation.