US Calls Australia Algorithm Opt-Out Censorship
Maharana Raj Singh II receiving courtiers in the Chinese Picture Hall at Udaipur Palace — Raghunath, son of Maluk Chand, 1754
What Happened
The US embassy in Canberra formally objected to Australia's draft digital duty of care laws, which would let users opt out of social media algorithms. The submission called the plan risk of "viewpoint-based censorship." Albanese pushed back from New York, saying it's about giving people control over their own feeds.
Why It Matters
Australia says it's protecting users from harmful content. The US says vague harm definitions risk silencing minority viewpoints and journalists globally, since platform rules built in Canberra don't stay in Canberra. Neither government is wrong that algorithms shape what people see — they just disagree entirely on who should get to decide that. This fight will keep recurring as more countries try to regulate feeds built for a global audience.
What's Next
Australia's proposed laws remain in draft form; no date has been set for a final version.