The US criticizes Australia's digital duty-of-care proposal, which has a provision that would require social media platforms to let users opt out of algorithms

Social media platforms may need to offer users a choice between algorithmic and chronological feeds, expanding user control over their content.

The United States government has publicly criticized Australia's proposed digital duty of care bill, specifically targeting a provision that would require social media platforms to offer users the option to opt out of algorithmic recommendation feeds. In a rare, direct public intervention, the U.S. Embassy in Australia submitted a response to the draft bill, labeling the requirement as "extraterritorial censorship of protected speech" and urging the exclusion of U.S. social media companies. The U.S. government expressed "serious concerns" about how Australia would define "foreseeable harm" and implement design requirements, arguing that rigid mandates could lead platforms to suppress controversial topics, thereby limiting the reach of independent voices. This intervention comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in the United States promoting Australian tech policies at the United Nations, having previously enacted measures like a teen social media ban that have drawn U.S. administration scrutiny.

The U.S. government's strong stance signals a widening international debate over platform responsibility and user autonomy, potentially influencing how other nations draft similar regulations. By framing the opt-out requirement as censorship, the U.S. is asserting a defense of broad speech protections, which could complicate efforts by governments worldwide to regulate online harms and algorithmic amplification. This opposition from a major economic power like the U.S. may embolden other platforms or countries hesitant to implement stricter content moderation or feed customization rules.

This intervention highlights a fundamental tension between national sovereignty in digital policy and the global nature of social media operations. If Australia proceeds without U.S. buy-in, it could face legal challenges or push U.S. companies to redesign their services specifically for the Australian market, potentially creating a fragmented user experience. The success or failure of Australia's proposal, and the U.S. response, will be closely watched by regulators and tech companies globally as a precedent for future digital governance.