Australia proposes opt-out law for social media algorithms

Australia has expanded its effort to rein in Big Tech’s influence by proposing legislation that would give social media users the choice to opt out of content recommended by algorithms.

The government opened up consultation on Tuesday for a “digital duty of care” law that would impose stricter standards on internet companies.

The draft bill includes a requirement, dubbed “my feed, my way”, for social media platforms to give users the option to restrict their feed to content from people they choose to follow.

The move follows a social media ban for under-16s that came into force in December as Australia has taken a tough stance on regulating the technology sector.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the legislation was not an attempt to censor the internet but “about putting choice back into the hands of Australians online”.

Technology companies have come under increasing pressure around the world over the dangers of social media, particularly for children, and addictive features driven by recommendation algorithms.

Meta agreed to pay $18bn to settle a potentially damaging lawsuit with US states over alleged failures related to child protection and social media addiction.

The EU has previously moved to limit the impact of algorithmic feeds, but communications minister Anika Wells said the Australian model would work differently if legislated by putting the onus on companies to give users the right to opt out rather than merely offering an alternative feed.

The government has also proposed building on its social media ban to require companies to protect under-18s from harmful content and addictive features in online games, apps and AI chatbots.

Harmful content includes the promotion of eating disorders and harmful or criminal behaviour, misogynistic content, pornography and abuse, according to the draft legislation.

Recommended

The law would also provide the eSafety Commissioner, the country’s internet regulator, with the power to issue notices to take down content on “nudify” apps and websites, which have been used to generate non-consensual intimate images of individuals.

The regulator would have the power to issue fines of up to A$109.2mn ($79mn) for companies that breach any of the rules in the legislation.

Facebook and Instagram owner Meta and TikTok declined to comment on the new proposals, while YouTube parent Alphabet did not immediately respond to requests for comment.