Why is US warning Australia over social media algorithm reforms?

The Trump administration has raised concerns over Australia’s proposed social media algorithm reforms, allowing the users to opt for the content of their choice on their feeds.

The US’ warning stems from the viewpoint that such social media-based reform could facilitate “censorship”. The US Embassy in Canberra submitted a formal submission to Australia’s public consultation process in which Washington raised serious concerns about the proposed reforms and how they could impact the freedom of expression and user feeds. ‘

"We are particularly concerned by potential mandates that would allow regulators to impose rigid, one-size-fits-all platform design ​requirements - such as forced chronological feeds or opt-in recommendation systems," the statement said.

The US went one step ahead in warning Australia that such implications are not confined to a border, they can spill beyond Australia’s borders as the mandated design reforms and requirements may “affect what users see, hear and say not just in and from Australia but globally.”

The statement shed light on a benchmark which could help determine how harm and risk would be defined and against what standard. The US also cautioned against the vague definitions that will risk facilitating censorship by “incentivising platforms to over-moderate protected speech to avoid ‌regulatory penalties.”

In response to the US’ criticism, Australian PM Anthony Albanese remarked, the proposed laws are not meant to grant the authorities greater authority, but to give the users’ greater control and choice over their feed and this is the core of the policy.

"I will always stand up for Australia's national interests, and the (reform) is something ⁠we have ​foreshadowed for some time," Albanese added.

The US’ warning came after Australia’s centre-Left Labour government proposed draft laws this month aimed at obliging social media platforms to notify users and offer a default algorithm-recommended feed with “opt out” option.

The Australian government is currently consulting with digital service providers, advocacy groups, and industry representatives on the exposure draft of the "Digital Duty of Care" legislation, which is expected to be formally introduced to parliament before the end of the year.