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# Australia Moves to Give Social Media Users the Power to Switch Off Algorithms
- URL: https://www.wwconemedia.com/australia-moves-to-give-social-media-users-the-power-to-switch-off-algorithms/
- Published: 2026-09-09T02:39:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-09T02:39:23.000Z
- Author: WWC NEWSDESK
- Tags: ASIA, BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY

**CANBERRA, Australia —** Australians aged **16 and above** could soon be given greater control over what appears on their social media feeds, under proposed laws that would allow users to **opt out of algorithm-driven recommendations**.

Prime Minister **Anthony Albanese** announced the proposed changes on Sept. 8 as part of a broader **Digital Duty of Care** framework aimed at making technology companies more responsible for online safety.

## Users could choose how their feeds work

Under the proposed rules, social media platforms would be required to notify users and give them a clear choice over their default feed.

Users could continue receiving **personalised content selected by algorithms**, or choose a feed showing posts from **friends and creators they have specifically followed**.

The government has framed the measure as a question of user control rather than government censorship, with Albanese saying Australians should have a genuine and lasting choice over what they see online.

## Big Tech faces tougher responsibilities

The proposed legislation would place broader obligations on digital platforms, including social media services, online games, apps and artificial intelligence chatbots.

Companies would be expected to address design features that could encourage **addictive behaviour or damage users' self-esteem**, particularly among children.

The rules would also target harmful material involving issues such as **eating disorders, pornography, misogyny, dangerous behaviour and content linked to serious mental-health distress**.

## Australia builds on under-16 social media ban

The proposed algorithm rules follow Australia's landmark move to prevent children **under 16** from holding accounts on major social media platforms.

That restriction came into force in December 2025 and has made Australia one of the world's most aggressive regulators of social media platforms.

The government now wants to extend its approach beyond age restrictions by giving older users more direct control over how recommendation systems influence their online experience.

## Platforms could face huge penalties

The proposed framework would give Australia's online safety regulator, **eSafety**, stronger powers to enforce the new obligations.

Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to **A$109.2 million (about US$79 million)**, putting significant financial pressure on major technology companies to follow the rules.

The government is expected to consult with industry and other stakeholders before introducing the legislation to Parliament later this year.

## A major challenge to algorithm-driven feeds

Recommendation algorithms are central to how platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube keep users engaged, constantly selecting and ranking material based on individual behaviour.

Australia's proposal would give users an alternative: **let the algorithm decide what comes next, or take back control and see more of what they deliberately chose to follow.**

**If the legislation becomes law, Australia could give millions of social media users something they have rarely had — a genuine choice over whether an algorithm, rather than their own decisions, determines what fills their feed.**

**WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D**