‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

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

112 points · 148 comments · 1659447091

  1. nomilk · · 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. gregoryl · · focus · HN ↗
      We elected a central-left government, and somehow ended up with center right. Its deeply frustrating.
      1. ipaddr · · focus · HN ↗
        You got exactly what you voted for. The left is pro censorship now. From political correctness to deplatforming, to right speech to labeling things misinformation to forgetting my body my choice when Covid came along. This is the natural end of wokism.
        1. linkregister · · focus · HN ↗
          You're getting downvoted for the factual inaccuracy of your statement. The party in control of government in the United States has gone to extraordinary lengths to chill free speech. From overt viewpoint discrimination for broadcast television to banning press outlets critical of the administration, to deporting people in legal statuses for political speech, there is no modern parallel by any other political party. The right wing's support for free speech has enormously fallen.
          1. ipaddr · · focus · HN ↗
            The left wing owns the institutions, big tech and the media and have been controlling speech for the last number of years. Perhaps you've haven't gone to a workplace reeducation class where white people mostly males are berated for the privilege they have because they are white. Or maybe your covid post haven't had your meta account banned or the post labelled misinformation because you wanted to share science.

            Trump has been not letting people in the country, kicking them out of schools and searching phones at borders to find out if they have made any posts against Jews.

            That's nothing to do with the right wing and everything to do with the Jewish lobby. He has been attacking the right wing for the same reasons. Tucker Carlson, Joe Kent, Majorie Green etc all have been attacked, investigated, fired for speaking against Israel.

            Trump silences those against Israel while the left silences those against Men in Women's sports, bathrooms, gender surgery for toddlers. Also anyone who questions covid, diy and white men in general.

            The right wing is the only place allowing to have free speech. And Fox News isn't considered right wing.

            1. linkregister · · focus · HN ↗
              Don't try to "no true Scotsman" your way out of this. From H2 2016 to H1 2026, the Republican party supported Trump with overwhelming approval.
              1. ipaddr · · focus · HN ↗
                2016 Trump is different from 2026 Trump. His popularity is 29%; many jumped ship over Epstein and many more over Iran. His core supporters in 2016 are not his core supporters now.
                1. linkregister · · focus · HN ↗
                  In Q1 2026, Trump was popular with Republicans despite many free speech violations occurring during 2025. His unpopularity started with the Iran war. Republicans were on board with the abuses as long as the targets were libs. He was elected to own the libs. The timeline is clear.

                  I appreciate your willingness to debate the topic. People like you make HN an interesting place to spend time.

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.