Australia proposes algorithm opt-out for social media users

Australian social media users could soon be given greater control over what appears on their feeds, with the government on Tuesday proposing laws that would allow people to opt out of algorithm-driven content recommendations.

Under the proposed legislation, social media platforms would be required to provide users aged 16 and above with tools offering a “genuine and enduring choice” over what they see in their feeds, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“We'll require social media platforms to provide user empowerment tools that give people over the age of 16 genuine and enduring choice about what they see in their feeds,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.

The proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation would also require digital platforms to protect children from content promoting eating disorders, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts, hostile ideas about women and material that causes serious mental health distress.

The move comes after Australia introduced world-first legislation in December last year barring children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

The new laws would give users a choice over their default feed. Platforms would have to notify both new and existing users about the options, according to a government statement.

Users could choose to have their default feed include personalised content recommended by an algorithm. Alternatively, they could opt to see content only from friends and creators they have chosen to follow.

Albanese said the measures would increase user choice while making major technology companies accountable for failing to comply with Australia's rules.

“It gives users choice and it will hold the big tech companies responsible for inaction. If they don't follow our laws, they will face significant penalties,” he said.

Penalties under the proposed legislation could reach 109.2 million Australian dollars (USD 78.6 million).

The proposed protections would extend beyond social media. Digital services such as online games, apps and artificial intelligence chatbots would also be required to protect children from design features that could have negative behavioural effects, including addictive features and those affecting self-esteem, the government said.

The latest proposal follows scrutiny from Australia's online safety watchdog. In April, the regulator said it was considering court action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, alleging the platforms were not doing enough to prevent children under 16 from accessing their services.

The government said the proposed measures were aimed at giving Australians greater control over their online experiences while strengthening protections for children.