Australia proposes social media algorithm off switch in duty-of-care bill
The Australian government has introduced legislation that would force platforms to let users opt out of recommended content, but critics warn of censorship and implementation hurdles.
At a glance
- Australia introduced a Digital Duty of Care bill this week, including a social media algorithm switch for users.
- The bill would impose a duty of care on online services, with fines of up to A$100m for breaches.
- Big tech has declined comment, while critics including the Trump administration say the plan risks censorship.
Australia’s federal government introduced legislation to parliament this week that would require social media platforms to give users a switch to turn off recommended content, so their feeds show only accounts they follow. The measure is the centrepiece of a broader Digital Duty of Care bill that would impose a legal duty on online services to keep users safe.
What the bill would do
The proposal covers social media firms, gaming sites, chatbots and other online services. It would require them to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, a safe online environment. Children would be protected from harmful material and design features, including pornography and content that encourages eating disorders or harmful attitudes towards women. Adults would be protected from seriously harmful material and conduct, a much narrower list of illegal content. Breaches could bring fines of up to A$100m (£52m; $70m). The government says following-only feeds must not be harder to use or less functional, algorithm settings must be obvious, and settings must not change without an explicit choice by the user, even if they leave the app.
Why supporters want change
Consent education campaigner Chanel Contos launched the Fix Our Feeds campaign, which called for recommended algorithms to be off by default and for users to opt in. More than 15,000 people signed her petition, and two former prime ministers backed it. In September, the government announced a version of the proposal but stopped short of requiring the switch to be off by default. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 'This is not about giving government control, it is about giving people control.'
Two Australians who spoke to the BBC described how algorithms shaped difficult periods. Varsha Yajman, 24 and in recovery from anorexia, said social media aggravated her eating disorder and she still sees weight-loss content despite safety settings. Flynn Martin, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, said manosphere figures including Andrew Tate overwhelmed his feeds when he was 20, and he was pulled out only after psychosis and a hospital stay. Both say social media was not solely to blame but was a key factor.
Industry and political pushback
Meta, Snap, TikTok, X and Google declined BBC requests for comment and have not made public statements about the legislation. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri argued non-algorithmic feeds would mean users saw fewer posts from friends, and said he did not believe Instagram was addictive, though a US jury recently ruled otherwise. Right-wing parties in Australia and the Trump administration say the algorithm proposal and the wider bill risk over-moderation and censorship. Communications Minister Anika Wells said adults could still follow and post what they want without restriction.
Implementation questions
The EU introduced algorithm controls in 2023, after which platforms rolled out following-only feeds, but researchers say take-up was low. Researcher Chris Zomer wrote that platforms comply in clunky ways so users stick with the default. On Instagram, turning off the algorithm prevents access to direct messages, profile and settings, and the app reverts to an algorithmic feed when the user returns. The Netherlands is different: after a Dutch court found Meta in breach of the EU’s Digital Services Act, users there retain choice over their home feeds. Australia has also struggled to enforce its social media ban for children; surveys suggest most children who were on social media before the ban still are, and no fines have been issued. Polling earlier this month indicated two-thirds of Gen Z Australians would keep their algorithms, while nearly half of Australians overall would turn theirs off.
Source: BBC Technology.
Questions and answers
- What is Australia's social media algorithm switch?
- It is part of the Digital Duty of Care bill and would force platforms to let users turn off recommended content so they see only accounts they follow. The government says settings must be obvious and must not reduce functionality.
- Why is Australia's Digital Duty of Care bill controversial?
- Right-wing parties in Australia and the Trump administration say it risks over-moderation and censorship. Supporters say users could still follow and share what they want without restriction.
- Has an algorithm switch been tried before?
- The EU introduced algorithm controls in 2023, but researchers say uptake was low and options were clunky. In the Netherlands, users retain choice over their home feeds after a court found Meta breached EU rules.
