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The US government has criticised Australias plans to restrict social media algorithms and harmful online content, opening a new political front in Canberras push to tighten regulation of Big Tech. Australias proposed digital duty of care regulations, unveiled this month, would compel a range of online services including gaming companies, social media operators and AI chatbots to ensure their products are safe for users under 18 by design. The plan is aimed at curbing abusive and harmful content online, while creating a new compliance burden for how major platforms operate. Central to it is a proposal to allow Australian social media users to opt out of algorithm-driven feeds. The US embassy in Canberra said Australia should withdraw any plan to require platforms to suppress content through algorithms based on vaguely defined safety standards set by the government. The unusually sharp rebuke underscores the unease in the Trump administration as policymakers worldwide intensify efforts to rein in tech giants such as Meta. The intervention highlights a global debate over whether guardrails and government-imposed restrictions are needed to control the pace of development of AI and related technologies.