{
  "id": 6327742,
  "title": "Australians may soon be able to switch off social media algorithms. Is that censorship?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/australians-may-soon-be-able-to-switch-off-social-media-algorithms-is",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T20:08:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/australians-may-soon-be-able-to-switch-off-social-media-algorithms-is-that-censorship-291359"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Australian government has introduced an \"off switch\" proposal for social media platforms, allowing users to decide whether they want personalized, algorithm-driven feeds or to see only the accounts they have chosen to follow. This feature, dubbed \"My feed, my way,\" is part of a broader digital duty of care, which seeks to hold tech companies accountable for user safety.\n\nPrime Minister and Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasize the significance of giving Australians control over their social media experiences. However, opposition parties and some government members express concerns, arguing that the proposal could lead to censorship. Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson accuses the government of trying to censor and silence Australians, while One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson and Nationals Leader Matt Canavan express scepticism about giving governments control over online content.\n\nCritics argue that the proposed legislation creates a duty of care for tech companies, which may be difficult to enforce due to its broad scope and the difficulty in identifying affected individuals. They also question whether the \"off switch\" is an act of censorship, emphasizing that turning off algorithmic recommendations does not delete posts or suspend accounts. Additionally, they point out that the real issue in internet censorship lies in state-defined forbidden content, infrastructure control, and punitive measures against individuals, not in creating new speech offences or regulating individual posts.",
  "summary": "The government’s proposed digital duty of care includes a mechanism for people to opt out of social media algorithms.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Australia news LIVE: Right-wing politicians say government’s social media laws are politically motivated censorship; Number of Australians missing in Nepal revised down to 35, says DFAT",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/australia-news-live-right-wing-politicians-say-governments-social",
        "published": "2026-09-08T20:50:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Australia news LIVE: Right-wing politicians say government’s social media laws are politically motivated censorship; Number of Australians missing in Nepal revised down to 35, says DFAT",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/australia-news-live-right-wing-politicians-say-governments-social-6328855",
        "published": "2026-09-08T20:50:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}