Australia’s government released draft legislation on September 8 that would let social media users switch off algorithm-curated feeds entirely, part of a broader “Digital Duty of Care” framework Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said would force platforms to take more responsibility for protecting users from harmful content.
Under the proposal, Australians aged 16 and older could choose to see only posts from accounts they actively follow rather than content selected by a platform’s recommendation algorithm on services such as Instagram and TikTok. Platforms would be required to notify all users of the opt-out option or face fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars, roughly 79 million US dollars, according to details released alongside the draft bill.
What would the Digital Duty of Care require from platforms?
For users under 18, the draft law would go further, requiring platforms to actively prevent exposure to content promoting eating disorders, misogynistic material, pornography, glorification of crime, and bullying or abuse. For anyone under 16, the legislation would additionally require platforms to disable recommendation algorithms and infinite-scroll features outright rather than simply offering an opt-out, building on Australia’s earlier under-16 social media restrictions.
Communications Minister Anika Wells joined Albanese in presenting the plan at Parliament House, framing it as part of a broader push to hold search engines, AI chatbots and social platforms to a consistent standard of care for Australian users regardless of which specific product or feature causes harm. Government officials described the approach as shifting responsibility onto platforms themselves rather than relying solely on parental controls or user vigilance.
Industry groups representing major technology companies have not yet detailed a formal response to the specific opt-out requirement, though platforms have previously pushed back on Australia’s under-16 social media ban, arguing that age-verification requirements are difficult to enforce reliably and could push younger users toward less regulated corners of the internet. Some digital rights advocates have welcomed the algorithm opt-out as a meaningful expansion of user control regardless of enforcement questions.
The government said the draft bill will go through a period of targeted consultation with industry, safety advocates and affected communities before formal introduction to Parliament later in 2026. No date has been set for a vote, and the legislation’s ultimate scope could shift depending on feedback gathered during the consultation period.
Sources: ABC News Australia · Gizmodo · Cyber Daily
