The United States has criticised Australia’s proposed legislation that would allow social media users to opt out of algorithm-based content recommendations, raising concerns over potential censorship.
In a statement on Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Canberra warned that the proposed changes could restrict American companies’ business activities and limit the visibility of content produced by Americans.
The embassy said, “The U.S. government would likely consider such a measure as facilitating censorship,” and urged Australia to abandon plans involving content restrictions based on what it described as ambiguous government-defined safety standards.
The proposal forms part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Digital Duty of Care legislation, announced earlier this month.
It would require platforms to inform users that they can choose whether algorithmically recommended content appears in their feeds. Companies failing to comply could face substantial fines.
Responding to the criticism, Albanese said, “It’s not about giving government control, it’s about giving people back control over what they receive on their devices.”
He also stressed his commitment to protecting Australia’s national interests.
Australia has previously introduced a nationwide restriction preventing children under 16 from accessing social media accounts.
Meanwhile, Macquarie University professor Dali Kaafar described the U.S. intervention as unusual, particularly given the strength of the language used.
