Australia to propose law allowing users to disable algorithmic recommendations on social media
The Australian government is preparing draft legislation that would compel social media platforms to offer users the option to turn off algorithmic recommendation systems. The proposal is part of a new digital duty of care framework.
Australia is moving towards legislating user control over social media algorithms, with a draft law expected soon that would require platforms to allow users to disable algorithmic recommendations. This initiative is part of a broader "digital duty of care" framework being developed by the government.
The proposed legislation would enable users to opt for a chronological feed, displaying content solely from accounts and groups they follow, thereby bypassing algorithmic curation. The stated aim is to mitigate the amplification of harmful content related to body image, women's safety, and child protection, areas where algorithmic systems have been implicated in exacerbating issues.
Beyond the algorithm opt-out, the law would impose additional monitoring obligations on platforms to identify and address problematic or illegal content. Separately, an amendment seeks to double penalties for non-compliance with social media age verification rules and expand regulatory powers to compel third-party cooperation.
The move reflects a growing global concern over algorithmic transparency and influence. Recent events, including French prosecutors investigating X for alleged manipulation of public discourse and Meta's "Dear Algo" feature on Threads, highlight the increasing demand for user control. While platforms have historically favored algorithmic feeds due to concerns about user engagement and time spent on site, research suggests chronological feeds do not significantly impact users' political knowledge or behavior.