UK FACEBOOK users could be hit by a news ban similar to that seen in Australia if relations between publishers and social media companies turn sour.

The hash tag #DeleteFacebook is currently trending on UK Twitter after Facebook pulled news content from its platform in Australia, over a new law proposal that compels internet firms to pay news organisations.

It means Australian users and news outlets alike will no longer be allowed to share or read articles via the social network – a move which Facebook said it made with a “heavy heart” because the proposal “fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers”.

In protest users are now removing the social media app, as well as other services provided by the company such as WhatsApp and Instagram.

Matt Navarra, a social media consultant, said that the UK faces “no immediate threat” of similar action because of the launch of Facebook News – an initiative where the firm has paid the likes of Channel 4 News, Daily Mail Group, DC Thomson, Financial Times, Sky News and Telegraph Media Group for content.

Brokering such agreements with publishers in the UK means there is a “stable relationship” for now, but Mr Navarra warns that deals could crumble in the future if one side feels the scheme is no longer worthwhile, especially if other countries like Australia set an example.

He added: “Feasibly, in the future, you could argue that these deals will fall apart, that one of the parties, whether its Facebook or published sites, if there’s an imbalance of value exchanged …

“One party (could) feel in terms of precedents set in other countries that the relationship needs to change or the deal needs to change, which could inevitably lead to similar kinds of bans by Facebook if it wanted to dig its heels in the UK – much like it’s shown it can and will be happy to do if similar rules are pushed against it.

“And likewise publishers fight back in terms of how what they do using Facebook as a tool to distribute their content as well.

“So, arguably and we could see bans in the UK and similar kind of actions by Facebook but I think in the short term we’re watching and learning about what others are doing.”

Mr Navarra believes Facebook’s decision is about “sending a clear message” out to other governments and regulators around the world considering similar action.

But he said the social network needs to tread carefully with the spotlight on Facebook’s level of power.