Australia to Require Social Media Platforms to Let Users Opt Out of Algorithms

Australia is preparing draft legislation that would require social media platforms to give account holders the ability to opt out of the algorithms that curate and push content into their feeds, according to The Guardian.

Under the proposed rules, users over the age of 16 would be granted new tools allowing them to switch off algorithm-driven content recommendations. Platforms that fail to comply with the requirements could face fines exceeding A$100 million, the report said.

The legislation is part of a broader push to establish what officials describe as a "digital duty of care" for online platforms operating in Australia. According to the report, the measures are also designed to limit children's exposure to certain categories of harmful material, including misogynistic content and content related to eating disorders.

The draft law reflects growing government scrutiny of algorithmic content curation, which critics have linked to the spread of what the report characterized as "dangerous and divisive content" on major platforms.

Further details on the scope of the legislation, its implementation timeline, and how enforcement would be carried out were not fully specified in the available reporting.