Australian social media users to be offered choice to opt out of algorithms
The Australian government has proposed legislation requiring social media platforms to allow users to opt out of algorithmic feeds. The bill also includes strict protections for children, including bans on addictive design features and content that promotes mental health distress.
Why it matters
This represents a major regulatory effort to curb the influence of big tech algorithms and protect minors online.
CANBERRA, Australia — Australian social media users would be given a choice to opt out of algorithms under proposed laws announced by the government Tuesday that would let users have more control over what they see on their social media feeds.
"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," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
The proposed legislation would also protect children from content that promotes eating disorders, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts and that causes serious mental health distress.
The move for more user control and to keep children safer online follows Australia introducing world-first laws in December last year that ban children younger than 16 from holding accounts on the world's largest social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Australia to force social media giants to allow users to opt out of algorithm
Australians will be able to switch off social media algorithms under planned legislation
Australians will be able to switch off social media algorithms under planned legislation
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