Australians will be able to switch off social media algorithms under planned legislation
The Australian government is proposing legislation that would allow users to switch off social media algorithms. Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that tech companies must provide this option or face substantial penalties, though the opposition has raised concerns about potential censorship.
Why it matters
This represents a major regulatory push to curb the influence of big tech and increase user control over digital content consumption.
Image caption, Anika Wells says social media companies should offer option to switch off algorithms
Australians would be able to switch off social media algorithms under draft legislation to be proposed this week.
Communications Minister Anika Wells, who last year helmed the government's world-first social media ban for under-16s, said the digital duty of care laws would ensure "some basic safety protections on an industry that hasn't had to observe it".
If tech firms such as Meta, Google and TikTok did not give the option to turn off algorithms, they should face "substantial" penalties, she said.
Some members of the opposition have criticised the proposal, with Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor saying he was "highly sceptical" and arguing the move could amount to censorship.
The government will be taking "expert advice" on whether users would have to opt in or out of the algorithms feeding them content online, Wells said.
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