Australia proposes algorithm-free feed option for social media users

Australia’s government has announced proposed legislation that would give social media users more control over what appears in their feeds. Users would be able to reject algorithmically personalized recommendations.

Platforms would have to notify new and existing users and offer a choice of default feed. One option would use algorithmic recommendations; the other would show posts from friends and creators selected by the user.

Penalties of up to A$109.2 million

The proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation would allow penalties of up to A$109.2 million (US$78.6 million). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said platforms would be held responsible if they failed to comply with Australian law.

The proposal would also protect children from content promoting eating disorders, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime and dangerous stunts, as well as material that causes serious mental health distress.

Rules for games, apps and chatbots

The requirements would extend to online games, apps and artificial intelligence chatbots. They would have to protect children from design features with negative behavioral effects, including addictive functions and features that affect self-esteem.

The plan follows Australia’s broader online child-safety measures. In December last year, the country introduced a ban on children under 16 holding accounts on major platforms including Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

In April, Australia’s online safety watchdog said it was considering court action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, alleging that they were not doing enough to keep children under 16 off their services.