Australia Is About To Give Everyone The Right To Turn Off Social Media Algorithms

Australia became the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from social media last December. Now it is going further. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation called "My Feed, My Way" on September 8, which would legally require social media platforms to give every user over 16 a genuine choice about whether to use algorithmic feeds. Under the proposal, platforms must notify all new and existing users offering them the option to switch off their personalized algorithm and instead see a simple chronological feed of posts from accounts they chose to follow. Opt in for the algorithm. Opt out for chronological. The user's choice is permanent. Platforms that fail to comply face penalties of up to A$109.2 million — approximately $78.6 million US. Digital services including online games, AI chatbots, and apps would also be required to protect users under 18 from addictive design features and content that damages mental health.

The proposal puts a name to something millions of people have wanted for years but had no mechanism to demand. "This is not about giving government control," Albanese said. "It's about giving people control. It's about putting choice back into the hands of Australians online." Communications Minister Anika Wells added: "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." The legislation goes to public consultation before Parliament later this year. Australia has now banned children from social media and is about to give adults the legal right to see only what they actually asked to see. The rest of the world is watching.

Source:https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/08/australia-social-media-algorithm-opt-out.html