Australia to ‘Lift Veil’ on Facebook, Google Algorithms to Protect Privacy

SYDNEY—Australia said it would establish the world’s first dedicated office to police Facebook Inc <FB.O> and Google <GOOGL.O> as part of reforms designed to rein in the U.S. technology giants, potentially setting a precedent for global lawmakers.
Australia to ‘Lift Veil’ on Facebook, Google Algorithms to Protect Privacy
The Google logo is pictured at the entrance to the Google offices in London, Britain, on Jan. 18, 2019. Hannah McKay/Reuters
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SYDNEY—Australia said it would establish the world’s first dedicated office to police Facebook and Google as part of reforms designed to rein in the U.S. technology giants, potentially setting a precedent for global lawmakers.

The move tightens the regulatory screws on the online platforms, which have governments from the United States to Europe scrambling to address concerns ranging from anti-trust issues to the spread of “fake news” and hate speech.