Communications Minister Anika Wells has downplayed a warning from the White House over Australia’s proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation, describing the US statement as broad and saying she has not received the same message directly from a US representative.

The White House warned trading partners against imposing digital services taxes, fines and what it described as “extortion” on America’s leading technology sector. The warning came after the Australian government released an exposure draft of its Digital Duty of Care legislation.

Speaking to News24, Wells said the White House statement represented a broad position and argued that the Australian legislation was the result of longstanding work following a review of the Online Safety Act.

Wells said she had not been approached by the US Consul General about the issue during her time as communications minister and had not had the concerns raised with her directly.

“We’re a sovereign nation, we have the right to defend Australian parents and kids and we’ll do that,” Wells said.

The proposed Digital Duty of Care would require online services to identify and mitigate risks on their platforms, while giving Australians aged over 16 a choice over whether their default social media feeds use personalised algorithmic recommendations.

The government says the legislation is aimed at establishing basic online safety standards rather than regulating political misinformation. The exposure draft is currently open for consultation.

Source: Australian Government — Department of Infrastructure