The Australian government is set to introduce new legislation aimed at offering social media users aged 16 and older the option to opt out of algorithm-based content feeds. This initiative, referred to as the “my feed, my way” system, would enable users to see posts exclusively from individuals, pages, and groups they consciously decide to follow, rather than content automatically selected by personalized algorithms. Social media platforms would also be required to prompt users to choose their preferred feed settings, thereby enhancing user autonomy over their online experience.
This legislative push is part of Australia’s broader strategy to regulate major technology platforms and strengthen online protections, especially for younger users. The government believes these reforms will significantly reduce exposure to harmful and divisive online content while empowering Australians to exert greater control over their social media experiences. Companies that fail to adhere to these new rules could face hefty fines exceeding 100 million Australian dollars, underscoring the serious regulatory shift.
Additionally, the proposed legislation seeks to introduce a wider digital duty of care for users under 18, impacting social media services, online games, apps, and AI chatbots. These platforms would have to implement measures to mitigate certain types of harmful content. To enforce these new standards, Australia’s online safety regulator would be granted enhanced powers, including the ability to issue removal notices to platforms and require documentation of their efforts to manage online safety risks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that these reforms are designed to transfer control from major tech companies back to the individuals using their platforms. The government plans to present this legislation to Parliament before the end of the year. However, the proposals are anticipated to undergo detailed scrutiny and negotiation, with the opposition expressing concerns that the measures might grant excessive control over online content to the government. Meanwhile, some advocates argue for even stronger protections and more stringent penalties to ensure the effectiveness of the reforms.