BREAKING: Trump administration warns Albanese algorithm crackdown could ‘facilitate censorship’

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The Trump administration has issued a sharp warning over Anthony Albanese’s proposed digital duty of care laws, saying Australian rules governing social media algorithms could lead to what Washington regards as “facilitating censorship.”

In its formal submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the proposed Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026, the United States Government said it had “serious concerns” about Canberra’s plans to impose broad obligations on online platforms.

The US Government specifically objected to potential requirements that would dictate how platforms design their services and manage users’ feeds.

“We are particularly concerned by potential mandates that would allow regulators to impose rigid, one-size-fits-all platform design requirements,” the submission states.

It specifically cites possible requirements involving forced chronological feeds and opt-in recommendation systems.

The submission then delivers a stronger warning.

“A framework that empowers governments to enforce vague definitions of ‘harm’ risks becoming a mechanism for viewpoint-based censorship,” it says.

The US Government adds that platforms could be incentivised to over-remove or suppress lawful content to avoid regulatory penalties.

Washington challenges Australia’s definition of ‘harm’

The US submission questions how the Albanese Government would determine what constitutes foreseeable harm online and who would ultimately decide whether platforms had breached their obligations.

It also raises questions about the role of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, appeal mechanisms and potential privacy consequences.

The intervention comes as the Albanese Government develops legislation that would give Australians greater control over algorithmically generated social media feeds.

Under the proposed “My Feed, My Way” approach, users would be offered a choice between a personalised algorithmic feed and a feed based on accounts they have chosen to follow.

The US Government argues that forcing platforms to make Australia specific changes could have consequences outside Australia.

Its submission warns that if other governments introduced different or conflicting requirements, global technology companies could face multiple regulatory demands that were difficult to implement simultaneously.

Rare public intervention from Washington

The submission represents an unusually public intervention by the United States into an Australian domestic policy debate.

ABC News reported that the US Government publicly criticised the proposed Australian legislation while Albanese was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Washington’s objection centres on the potential impact of the proposed regulations on the way platforms recommend, organise and moderate content.

The Albanese Government has presented the reforms as an online safety measure intended to give Australians greater control over their digital experiences.

The legislation has not yet been enacted.

Source: United States Embassy in Australia, U.S. Government Response to the Australian Consultation on the Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026.

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