CANBERRA, Australia — Under proposed legislation announced Tuesday, social media users in Australia would be granted the right to opt out of algorithm-driven content feeds. The government stated that platforms would be obligated to notify both new and existing users, offering them a clear choice regarding their default feed settings.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the new rules aim to give people over the age of 16 “genuine and enduring choice” about the material they encounter online. According to the proposal, users would have the option to enable personalized content recommended by algorithms or instead view a chronological stream of updates from friends and creators they actively follow.
The Digital Duty of Care bill introduces severe financial consequences for non-compliance, with penalties reaching up to 109.2 million Australian dollars, or approximately $78.6 million. Albanese warned that the measure is designed to hold major technology companies accountable, stating, “If they don’t follow our laws, they will face significant penalties.”
Beyond feed customization, the legislation expands protections for minors. It seeks to shield children from content that promotes eating disorders, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts, or hostile ideologies regarding women. Additionally, online services, including apps, video games, and artificial intelligence chatbots, would be required to eliminate design features that negatively impact behavior, self-esteem, or foster addiction.
This regulatory move builds upon Australia’s world-first ban, implemented last December, which prohibits children under 16 from maintaining accounts on major platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. In April, the country’s online safety watchdog indicated it was considering legal action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, alleging these companies have failed to adequately enforce the age restriction.
Will people actually choose the chronological timeline? Algorithms are addictive by design. This might just be a nice gesture without changing user habits.
Finally some real protection for our kids. The ban on harmful content like eating disorder promotion is exactly what we needed to see.
The $109 million fines are a massive increase. That should finally force Big Tech to take Australia seriously, unlike the toothless laws of the past.
I still can’t figure out how to switch to a chronological feed on Instagram. Hope this law actually forces them to make it easier.