Social media users in Australia may soon gain direct control over what appears in their feeds under newly proposed legislation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday that the government plans to require social media platforms to give users over 16 a genuine choice to opt out of recommendation algorithms. Instead of relying on automated feeds, users could choose to view only content from friends and creators they actively follow.
Under the proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation, platforms would be required to notify both new and existing users about their default feed options. Users could explicitly choose whether to receive personalized algorithmic recommendations. Tech companies that fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars ($78.6 million).
The legislation also aims to protect children from harmful online content and design features. Digital services—including online games, mobile apps, and artificial intelligence chatbots—would be required to eliminate features that encourage addictive behavior or harm self-esteem. Additionally, the law would require platforms to protect young users from content promoting eating disorders, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts, and severe mental distress.
The proposal follows Australia's landmark decision in December last year to ban children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. In April, Australia's online safety watchdog also warned that it was considering court action against several tech giants for failing to take sufficient action to keep underage users off their services.