White House warns Australia over social media algorithm rules carrying A$109M fines

The White House warned Australia that the draft Digital Duty of Care bill, which would force platforms to repeatedly prompt users to disable algorithmic feeds and impose penalties exceeding A$109 million, amounts to “extortion” against American tech firms. Australia’s communications minister rejected the characterization, emphasizing sovereign rights, while experts noted the proposal’s distinction between opt-out and opt-in controls and its potential impact on user autonomy.