Source : Perth Now news
The Trump administration has warned Australia against “extortion” of US tech giants after Anthony Albanese released draft laws threatening hefty fines for platforms that fail to protect Australians online.
Labor’s digital duty of care would give Australians the choice to opt out of algorithms – the systems that decide what users see online.
On social media, that often involves pushing emotionally or politically charged content to people to keep them scrolling longer, which radicalisation experts warn is driving extreme views.
The new laws would also force digital platforms to crack down on illegal or harmful content, such as child pornography and material that encourages eating disorders.
A White House spokesman told the Australian Financial Review on Wednesday (AEST) that US President Donald Trump “has unequivocally warned trading partners against imposing digital services taxes, fines, and other forms of extortion on America’s leading technology sector”.
“The administration remains committed to raising these issues with our trading partners,” the spokesman said.
It came after the Prime Minister downplayed any US concerns while unveiling the proposal.
“Look, we’re a sovereign nation, we decide our policies based upon the Australian national interest,” Mr Albanese told reporters on Tuesday.
“I as prime minister will do that regardless of what the issue is.
“But my relationship with the US President is indeed very good and I look forward to seeing President Trump in New York in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Mr Albanese is expected to meet Mr Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly later this month.
