According to The Verge, Google accused Microsoft of violating corporate ethics. The tech giant was unhappy with the new law that requires search engines and social networks to pay news publishers for using their content. Microsoft, however, openly supported the law. Google officials believe that such a move by Microsoft threatens the idea of free access to information. The conflict between the two IT companies started after Australia had passed a new media law. According to the legislation, search engines will have to pay local media companies for linking to their websites. Kent Walker, Google’s Senior Vice President, said this situation revealed the truth about Microsoft who is “attacking rivals and lobbying for regulations that benefit their own interests.” Walker criticized Microsoft for displaying “naked corporate opportunism” and stressed the wrongful nature of its actions. Earlier it was reported that Microsoft had teamed up with a number of European publishers. Analysts think this will negatively affect such tech giants as Google and Facebook.