Australian internet users will soon have the option to bypass social media algorithms and curate their own feeds, under new draft laws introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government. The legislation, part of a broader digital duty of care initiative, aims to give users more control over their online experience and protect them from harmful content.
The "My Feed, My Way" initiative will require social media companies to provide tools allowing users to choose between algorithmically curated content and a chronological feed of posts from friends. "This is not about giving government control. It's about giving people control. It's about putting choice back into the hands of Australians online," Albanese stated at a press conference in Canberra.
He emphasized that the changes are about empowering users, adding, "If people want to doomscroll, as you call it, that's fine. That's up to them. But if people want to have a change, then this will provide them with the opportunity."
Beyond user choice, the digital duty of care mandates that social media platforms actively protect users from harmful content. This includes material that promotes eating disorders, misogynistic content, pornography, or glorifies crime. Companies that fail to comply with these requirements could face substantial fines, potentially reaching $100 million.
Communications Minister Anika Wells described the duty of care as a reinforcement of the government's existing ban on social media for individuals under 16. "The digital duty of care is not about controlling adults online. It is about giving adults a choice," Wells said. She added, "Tech companies can still move fast, but they will no longer be allowed to break things because online harms have real-world consequences. There is a global reckoning coming for big tech."
These reforms follow the government's efforts to strengthen penalties for social media companies in relation to the ban on minors. The new measures signal a significant shift in how social media platforms will operate in Australia, prioritizing user agency and online safety.