Politics
Trump administration to confront Australia over social media algorithm and content laws
September 9, 2026 at 07:57 AM
Coverage
3 reports · over 51 hours
TGThe Guardian
Trump administration to confront Australia over Labor’s social media algorithm plan
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
'Good to have choice': Australians on opting out of social media algorithms
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Australians will be able to switch off social media algorithms under planned legislation
(opens the publisher’s site)Australia has proposed digital duty of care laws letting social media users switch off algorithms and removing harmful content, prompting a warning from the Trump administration.
- Australia's Labor government announced draft legislation fining platforms over $100m for failing to remove harmful content and offer users a non-algorithmic feed option.
- White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the administration would raise concerns with trading partners, citing Trump's warning against "other forms of extortion on America's leading technology sector."
- Communications minister Anika Wells called the statement "broad", saying Australia is a sovereign nation with the right to defend parents and children.
- Opposition leaders Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan accused Labor of censorship, while the Greens urged opt-in feeds and fines tied to global revenue.