Australia moves to give users more control over social media algorithms

SYDNEY: The Australian government is considering legislation that would enable users to opt out of powerful social media algorithms, according to Communications Minister Anika Wells. The draft law, known as the digital duty of care, is anticipated to be presented to the Australian parliament in the coming days. Under the proposed legislation, tech giants such as Meta would need to provide users with the option to disable algorithms that tailor recommendations based on individual preferences.

While many Australians enjoy the convenience and entertainment provided by algorithms, Wells contends that big tech companies should offer users the choice to opt out from the beginning and should respect that decision. She emphasized the importance of giving Australians more control over the content they see on their social media feeds.

The Australian government recently introduced legislation prohibiting children under 16 from using social media platforms, marking a pioneering move aimed at safeguarding young users from online bullying and potentially manipulative algorithms. This initiative follows similar measures implemented in the UK and France. Recent data revealed that Australian children aged 16 and under are increasingly using social media applications such as Instagram and TikTok, despite the country's ban on these platforms for minors.