Google Step to Block News Sites Raises Ire of California Leaders

California lawmakers have criticized Google for blocking news for some state residents over its opposition to a measure that would require the tech company to pay publishers for the use of such stories.

The legislators were upset by the April 12 decision by Google that it would conduct a “short-term test” by removing a link to California news websites to a small percentage of users. The tech company said the action was in response to a measure (A.B. 886) that would require large search engines and social media sites to pay content providers.

Senate President Mike McGuire (D) ...