Australia Proposes New Laws to Give Users Control Over Social Media Feeds, Fining Big Tech Up to $78.6 Million

Australia's government has unveiled proposed legislation designed to give social media users greater control over their online experience, including the ability to opt out of algorithmic content curation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday that the new laws would mandate social media platforms to provide "user empowerment tools" for individuals aged 16 and over, offering them a "genuine and enduring choice" regarding the content displayed in their feeds. This means users could opt for a personalized feed driven by algorithms or a chronological feed that prioritizes content from friends and creators they actively follow.

This initiative builds upon Australia's prior efforts to regulate the digital landscape. In December of the previous year, the nation introduced pioneering laws that prohibit children under the age of 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The current proposed legislation, dubbed the Digital Duty of Care, aims to further protect younger users by shielding them from content that promotes eating disorders, hostile ideologies concerning women, pornography, criminal activities, dangerous stunts, and content that can cause serious mental health distress. Prime Minister Albanese stressed that these measures are intended to hold "big tech companies responsible for inaction," with significant penalties looming for non-compliance. The proposed fines could reach as high as 109.2 million Australian dollars, equivalent to approximately $78.6 million USD.

A government statement clarified that social media platforms would be required to proactively notify both new and existing users about these newly available feed choices. The scope of the proposed regulations extends beyond traditional social media. Digital services, including online games, applications, and artificial intelligence chatbots, would also be obligated to protect children from design features that can negatively influence behavior. This includes features that are addictive or that adversely affect a child's self-esteem. The government's proactive stance on digital safety was further underscored in April, when Australia's online safety watchdog indicated it was considering court action against Facebook, signaling a consistent commitment to ensuring accountability within the technology sector.