Thread

US criticises Australia's proposed algorithm opt-out laws as 'censorship'

112 points · 148 comments · 1659447091

nomilk · 1790133002 · focus · HN ↗
As is common in political shenanigans, the draft bill has a euphemistic label ('algorithmic opt-out') - what it actually does is allow unspecified bureaucrats such as the Minister for Communications to designate any individual piece of content as 'harmful' and have it banished from the internet.
As an Australian who just wants relatively free access to information (and the ability to freely/easily discuss it), it's frustrating.
And it's not the first time the Australian government has done this; last year they banned U16 from social media, several weeks later everyone was alerted to Bondi by... social media.. so they could get the heck out of there, but U16... they were left clueless and unable to get updates (news sites ran 30+ minutes behind real-time events and official sites like NSW Police took 70+ minutes to even announce there was a shooter).
1. phsau · 1790138689 · focus · HN ↗
  You say draft bill, but can you link to it? I can only find descriptions from the PM: <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/my-feed-my-way" rel="nofollow">https://www.pm.gov.au/media/my-feed-my-way
  What you've described isn't part of this?
  "The draft laws provide eSafety with the power to issue removal notices for nudify apps or websites, and streamline the child cyber-bulling and adult cyber abuse schemes to enable eSafety to deal more quickly with this harmful material."
  1. nomilk · 1790139148 · focus · HN ↗
    > can you link to (the draft bill)?
    <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/exposure-draft-online-safety-amendment-digital-duty-of-care-bill-2026-september2026.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/docume...
    On the intent of the Act:
    > The objects of this Act are to improve and promote online safety for Australians by ... imposing a duty on persons responsible for online services to ensure a safe online environment
    On special powers granted to the Minister:
    > the Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine material or conduct, or a combination of material and conduct, that the Minister is satisfied may cause serious harm
    phsau · 1790160962 · focus · HN ↗
    Thank you.

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