US warns Australia's social media reforms 'facilitating censorship'

The U.S. has raised concerns over Australia’s proposed social media algorithm reforms, arguing they could unintentionally restrict free expression by requiring platforms to disclose how content is recommended. In a formal submission, the U.S. Embassy in Canberra expressed "serious concerns" about the government’s push for rules that might dictate platform behavior, framing it as a potential step toward censorship. The proposals aim to give users transparency on algorithm-driven content but have drawn criticism from Washington over potential unintended consequences. Critics argue the measures could force platforms to alter their recommendation systems in ways that limit user choice.

The U.S. on Tuesday warned that Australia's social media algorithm reform proposals to notify users and provide content recommended via a default algorithm could be "facilitating censorship." The U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia's capital, stated in a formal submission that it had "serious concerns" about the Australian government's goal with proposals "that dictate how platforms...