US warns Australia that imposing digital duty of care on big tech would be seen as censorship
News Source
β’Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT
π° What Happened
The Trump administration has told Australia its planned digital duty of care laws could be seen as censorship. The US embassy in Canberra made the point in a public submission on 22 Sep 2026.
Australia plans rules to protect users under 18 from harms like porn, bullying and eating disorder content. The US wants American platforms left out of the rules. It says the changes could alter what people everywhere see.
π The Backstory
The warning landed as Anthony Albanese met Donald Trump at the UN on 22 Sep 2026. Australia has already banned social media for under 16s. Communications minister Anika Wells called the new laws a global reckoning for big tech.
The government also wants people to be able to switch off feed algorithms. The Guardian reported the submission on 23 Sep 2026. On 8 September, Albanese said Australia would make its own decisions in the national interest.
π― Why It Matters
These laws decide how safe apps are for kids and how much control you have over your feed. A foreign government is now lobbying hard against them.
The Trump administration has told Australia its planned digital duty of care laws could be seen as censorship. The US embassy in Canberra made the point in a public submission on 22 Sep 2026.
Australia plans rules to protect users under 18 from harms like porn, bullying and eating disorder content. The US wants American platforms left out of the rules. It says the changes could alter what people everywhere see.
The warning landed as Anthony Albanese met Donald Trump at the UN on 22 Sep 2026. Australia has already banned social media for under 16s. Communications minister Anika Wells called the new laws a global reckoning for big tech.
The government also wants people to be able to switch off feed algorithms. The Guardian reported the submission on 23 Sep 2026. On 8 September, Albanese said Australia would make its own decisions in the national interest.
These laws decide how safe apps are for kids and how much control you have over your feed. A foreign government is now lobbying hard against them.