Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received a serious backlash from the US government this week at the United Nations press conference on his proposed ‘Digital Duty of Care’ bill.
The US criticized the new social media regulations and has sought exemption in the proposed law to grant users control in ‘opting out’ of their algorithmic feed.
President Donald Trump has intervened with the new Australian law and said it would indirectly affect American tech companies and policy.
“[It goes against] extraterritorial censorship of protected speech by Americans online,” Mr Trump said.
Many countries have followed Australia’s recent social media age ban, and as a result has been challenged by the US in Australian High Court on its involvement in global tech companies.
American technology trade association NetChoice, has said it is concerned about the scope of its restrictions and influence on political freedom of speech.
“It is the most extensive prohibition on youth’s access to social media in force in any liberal democracy,” the organization said.
Albanese has continued to defend the legislation of digital regulation and has stressed the importance of children’s safety online.
“I’ll always sand up for Australia’s national interests,” Mr Albanese said.
“[The bill] is not about government control, it’s about giving people back control over what they receive on their devices.”
The Australian Minister of Communications Anika Wells, has spoken in response to the controversy and clarified the concerns to be in the benefit of the people.
“There is a global reckoning coming for Big Tech. And it started here in Australia with the introduction of our world-leading social media minimum age laws, giving children time to build more digital resilience and digital skills,” Ms Wells said.
If enacted, the legislation will force platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to send users a choice between personalized algorithmic feed and feed limited to accounts users follow.
