Australia proposes bill forcing social media platforms to offer algorithm opt-out options
The Australian government has unveiled draft legislation requiring platforms like TikTok and Instagram to let users turn off algorithmic feeds, threatening non-compliant companies with fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars.
The algorithm opt-out mandate
The Australian government introduced draft legislation on Tuesday requiring large social media platforms to give users the ability to disable algorithmic recommendations. Under the "My Feed, My Way" initiative, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok must present new and existing users with a notification prompting them to choose their default feed. Users who opt out of algorithmic curation will see only posts from friends and accounts they have explicitly chosen to follow. The centre-left Labor government plans to introduce the bill to parliament later this year to curb addictive mechanics and increase transparency online.
It's not about giving government control. It's about giving people control.
Expanded digital duty of care
The proposed legislation establishes a formal digital duty of care that extends beyond social media to online games, mobile applications, and generative artificial intelligence chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Digital platforms will be legally required to shield users under 18 from harmful content, including material promoting eating disorders, pornography, misogyny, dangerous conduct, and online bullying. Australia's internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, will gain statutory authority to issue binding removal notices and demand that companies document their risk-mitigation measures. Companies that fail to comply with the safety standards face civil penalties of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars (approximately 72 million US dollars).
Their platforms and tools have infiltrated our daily lives in ways that we could never have imagined. Some good, but some with terrible consequences. And there is a global reckoning coming for Big Tech.
Previous bans and enforcement hurdles
The new proposal follows Australia's nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16, which took effect on 10 December 2025. Although platforms deactivated or removed more than 5 million accounts within the first month of that law, enforcement has encountered persistent obstacles. Research published in the British Medical Journal in June 2026 found that teenagers routinely bypassed age verification using virtual private networks and accounts registered under older names. Data released in August 2026 by parental control software maker Qustodio showed Australian teen usage rates rebounding toward pre-ban levels across several platforms, while eSafety has issued no financial penalties under the earlier law.
- The European Union enforces Digital Services Act provisions requiring non-profiling feed options.
- Australia implements a national ban on social media accounts for users under 16.
- Over 5 million social media accounts are deactivated across Australia in the first month of the ban.
- A British Medical Journal study reports young users circumvented account restrictions via VPNs and alternate profiles.
- Parental monitoring service Qustodio records teen social media usage rebounding toward pre-ban levels.
- Australia unveils the My Feed, My Way draft legislation mandating algorithm opt-outs.
Political debate and legislative hurdles
The Albanese administration requires the backing of the Australian Greens to secure passage through the Senate, as the opposition Liberal and National parties have voiced resistance over free-speech implications and potential internet censorship. Internationally, the Australian framework mirrors the European Union's 2024 Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to offer non-profiling feed options. Several governments, including France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Britain, and New Zealand, have initiated their own age-restriction policies modeled on Australian measures. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to present the digital duty of care framework at the United Nations General Assembly in New York later in September 2026.
