Their cause was boosted by a 2019 EU law that allowed for payments for sharing content under a regime called “neighbouring rights”, and Google and Facebook eventually agreed to pay some French media outlets. But AFP has accused X, owned by Elon Musk, of a “clear refusal” to engage in discussions on neighbouring rights. AFP said it had lodged a case with a judge in Paris to force the platform to hand over data that would allow the French news agency to estimate a fai level of compensation. Although media groups in France have won some victories, big tech firms have pushed back hard in other regions. Meta blocked users of Facebook and Instagram in Canada from seeing posts from news organisations over a law that mandates compensation for the content. Google has threatened to take similar action. Meta and Google also opposed similar proposals in Australia.