AUSTRALIA PLANS LAWS GIVING USERS MORE CONTROL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA ALGORITHMS

Mon 07 September 2026:

Draft legislation would require platforms to offer an option to disable “powerful” algorithms and meet a digital duty of care

Social media companies could be required to give Australian users the ability to switch off “powerful” algorithms under draft legislation expected to be introduced by the government this week.

Communications Minister Anika Wells told the ABC that the proposed laws would require platforms such as Meta to follow what the government describes as a digital duty of care as part of a broader effort to reduce online harm.

“A lot of Australians appreciate the algorithm, both for the enjoyment they get out of it or the utility they get out of it,” Anika Wells said.

“A lot of Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we think that Big Tech should offer them the choice in the first place, and they should respect that choice.”

Opposition raises censorship concerns

Opposition leader Angus Taylor said the Coalition had not yet seen the Labor government’s bill.

“I am deeply sceptical. I fear that this is going to be an attempt by the government to censor social media, but as I say, we haven’t seen it. Let’s see what the government comes forward with,” he said on the ABC.

Social media companies have faced growing criticism over the use of algorithms considered potentially addictive. Critics accuse platforms of promoting sensational or extreme material to keep users engaged and scrolling.

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Australia expands online safety measures

The proposed legislation follows Australia’s decision in December to prevent children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. The measure was part of a world-first effort to protect young people from online bullying and “predatory algorithms”.

The United Kingdom, France and several other countries have since introduced similar restrictions.

However, data released last month indicated that Australian children were increasing their use of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok despite the ban.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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