U.S. embassy officials submitted an objection letter outlining concerns related to potential censorship and control over U.S. interests, per the BBC.

The Australian government’s plan to require social platforms to give users an algorithm opt-out has been criticized by the U.S. embassy in Canberra, Australia, with U.S. officials saying the proposal could be used to curb free speech, and censor certain perspectives.

Under Australia’s proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation, social media users in the country would be given the option to switch off engagement-based algorithms in social apps. The idea is that this could help to counter negative impacts of content amplification, including overexposure to the most divisive elements of the web. The proposal would also target addictive features in social media apps and AI chatbots. In addition, the bill’s language includes tougher restrictions on content related to eating disorders, crime, gender equality and dangerous stunts.

But the U.S. government has opposed the plan. As reported by BBC, the U.S. embassy in Canberra submitted a response to the proposal, noting that officials had serious concerns about allowing the Australian government to enforce this legislation, which the U.S. embassy said could effectively amount to localized censorship of content and control over U.S.-owned businesses.

The concerns specifically relate to the secondary focus of the approach in restrictions on content linked to harm. Based on the current wording of the Australian government’s discussion document for the policy, the laws would give Australia’s federal minister for communications the power to enact rules relating to the designation of categories and types of harm as covered under the law.

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