The United States government has publicly criticised Australia's proposed digital duty-of-care law and asked for American social-media companies to be excluded from key requirements.
The draft legislation would require online platforms to take steps to reduce foreseeable harms. The Australian government has also proposed that major services offer users a choice between a personalised algorithmic feed and a feed limited to accounts they follow.
In a submission to the consultation, the US government argued that the proposal could create rigid design rules, affect protected speech and produce conflicting requirements across different countries. It also asked how harm, risk, appeals, privacy and the eSafety Commissioner's role would be defined.
The Australian proposal remains a draft and has not become law. Communications Minister Anika Wells's office and the US Embassy declined ABC News requests for further comment on the intervention.
Sources: ABC News, updated 22 September 2026; US Embassy in Australia submission.
Image disclosure: The featured image is an AI-generated conceptual illustration of a generic smartphone and two abstract feed choices. It is not a real platform interface, government notice or screenshot.
