> Many people who would otherwise be appalled at laws like this seem to want to rationalize this because its specifically targeting Google and Meta.

That was exactly the sentiment in Australia when similar laws were passed there. Many, many people just said "Good, it's about time Google and Meta paid their fair share of taxes".

But they completely misunderstood they are not taxes at all, it's the Australian government collecting money, by law, to give directly to Rupert Murdoch (by law)