Australia is set to propose legislation that would allow users to turn off social media algorithms, according to draft laws expected this week. Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that the proposed digital duty of care laws would establish "basic safety protections on an industry that hasn't had to observe it."
Under the proposed legislation, technology companies such as Meta, Google, and TikTok could face "substantial" penalties if they do not provide users with the option to disable algorithms. Wells indicated that the government is seeking expert advice on whether users should be required to opt in or out of algorithmic content feeds.
"We want to give Australians more choice over what they see on their social media feeds," Wells said. "We know that a lot of Australians appreciate the algorithm both for the enjoyment they get out of it or the utility that they get out of it, seeing local businesses in their suburb. A lot of Australians will want to choose the algorithm. But we think that big tech should offer them the choice in the first place and they should respect that choice. Big tech is not a protected species and they should offer their customers basic safety standards."
Some members of the opposition have expressed skepticism. Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor described the proposal as potentially amounting to censorship and suggested the government should focus on enforcing existing regulations, such as the social media ban for individuals under 16. Wells, however, countered these concerns, stating, "This isn't about censorship. This is about identifying risks or making big tech identify the risks on their own platform and making big tech mitigate against those risks on their platform."
The draft legislation is also expected to place a greater onus on platforms to prevent the sharing of harmful content, including illegal pornography and videos promoting disordered eating. This initiative follows a speech by consent advocate Chanel Contos, who urged the government to implement an opt-in system for algorithmic social media feeds, arguing that algorithms contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence and expose young people to harmful online material.
Wells previously led the government's initiative to ban social media use for individuals under 16, though research indicates that many underage users continue to access these platforms despite the ban. No tech firms have yet been fined for non-compliance with that regulation.