Australians will be able to switch off social media algorithms under planned legislation

The Australian government plans to introduce legislation this week that would allow citizens to switch off social media algorithms. Communications Minister Anika Wells, who previously led the government's under-16 social media ban, said the proposed digital duty of care laws would introduce basic safety protections for an industry that has not previously been subject to such regulations.

If technology giants like Meta, Google, and TikTok fail to provide an option to turn off algorithms, they could face substantial penalties.

Some opposition members have expressed skepticism about the proposal, with Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor stating that he is highly skeptical and believes the move could amount to censorship. The government is seeking expert advice on whether users would have to opt in or out of the algorithms that deliver content online. This means that, similar to the under-16 social media ban, the government aims to introduce legislation before finalizing the specifics of how it would function.

Wells stated that the government wants to give Australians more choice over what they see on their social media feeds. While many appreciate the algorithm for enjoyment and utility, such as seeing local businesses, many Australians would want to choose the algorithm. Big tech should offer customers basic safety standards, she added.

However, she acknowledged that no tech firm has been fined for not enforcing the under-16 social media ban despite research consistently showing that the majority of under 16s still use the platforms.

Some opposition members support the idea in principle, but others argue it is an attempt to curtail freedom of speech. Taylor expressed concerns that this could be an attempt by the government to censor social media and urged Labor to address holes in the under-16 social media ban first. Wells clarified that this is not about censorship but about identifying risks on social media platforms and making big tech responsible for mitigating those risks.

Consent advocate Chanel Contos recently called for an opt-in for algorithmic social media feeds to prevent the spread of sexual violence and expose young people to misogynistic material. The draft legislation, expected to be introduced in the coming days, will also require platforms to stop sharing harmful content, including illegal pornography and disordered eating videos.