The Australian government has introduced a draft law that would require social media platforms to give users the option to opt out of algorithm-driven content feeds, marking a significant step in its ongoing effort to regulate Big Tech and enhance online safety. The proposed legislation, unveiled on Tuesday, aims to put more control in the hands of social media users by allowing them to restrict their feeds to posts from people and groups they choose to follow, rather than those recommended by platform algorithms.
Known as the “my feed, my way” initiative, the law would prompt users with a pop-up notification when they sign in, asking whether they want to view content curated by algorithms or stick to a chronological feed from their selected contacts and pages. Users who decline algorithmic recommendations would no longer see personalized suggestions based on engagement metrics, which have been linked to the spread of harmful and divisive material. Platforms failing to comply with the law could face fines exceeding A$100 million (about US$72 million).
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the legislation is about giving Australians greater choice online, not government censorship. “If people want to doom scroll, that’s fine—that’s up to them,” he said. The reforms follow a social media ban implemented last year that prohibits children under 16 from accessing major platforms, a law credited with deactivating over five million accounts but criticized for limited effectiveness in fully protecting young users.
Communications Minister Anika Wells described the current environment as one where tech companies engage in “real-time, unregulated product testing” on Australian users, resulting in harmful consequences. The new draft bill also expands protections for those under 18 beyond social media, targeting harmful and addictive features in online games, apps, and AI chatbots. Harmful content defined in the legislation includes material promoting eating disorders, pornography, misogyny, criminal behavior, and bullying.
The government’s approach has drawn both support and criticism. Advocates for stronger regulation, including campaigners focused on digital consent and democratic integrity, welcomed the reforms as a necessary correction to the power imbalance between users and global technology firms. Some warn, however, that the proposed opt-out model may be insufficient, recommending stricter rules that would require platforms to default to more user-protective settings and impose penalties based on global revenue.
Opposition figures, including members of the Liberal-National coalition and One Nation, have expressed concerns that the proposed law could lead to government overreach and internet censorship. The National Party leader Matt Canavan argued that the government should instead focus on economic issues like inflation and migration.
Social media companies have so far refrained from commenting on the legislation. Industry representatives acknowledge the community’s concerns about algorithmic effects and support giving users more control, though they emphasize the role of recommendation systems in delivering diverse content.
The draft bill will undergo further consultation with stakeholders before being formally introduced to parliament later this year. The policy arrives amid growing international scrutiny of algorithm-driven platforms, with other regions such as the European Union enforcing user choice mechanisms under the Digital Services Act. However, regulators worldwide have noted challenges ensuring that platforms implement opt-out options effectively and transparently.
As Australia seeks to recalibrate the relationship between users and social media algorithms, the outcomes of this legislative effort could influence global debates on the governance of digital platforms and online harms.