Australia Moves to Give Users Control Over Social Media Algorithms

The Australian government has announced a major new plan to change how social media works for its citizens. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced draft legislation that would allow users to opt out of the algorithms that currently decide what content appears on their screens. An algorithm is a set of computer rules that platforms use to pick and show posts, videos, and ads based on a user's past behavior. By choosing to opt out, users could instead see a simple feed that only shows content from the friends and creators they have chosen to follow, similar to how social media functioned over a decade ago.

This initiative, which the government calls "My Feed, My Way," is part of a broader "Digital Duty of Care" bill. According to NPR, the law aims to provide users over the age of 16 with genuine and lasting control over their digital experience. Prime Minister Albanese told reporters in Canberra that the goal is not to give the government control over the internet, but to give that power back to the people. He emphasized that the government intends to hold big technology companies responsible for their actions, noting that platforms failing to follow the new rules could face significant financial penalties, with fines potentially reaching over 100 million Australian dollars.

This proposal follows Australia’s recent history of strict internet regulation. As reported by Deutsche Welle, Australia became the first country to restrict social media access for children under 16 in 2025. Following that decision, other nations including Germany, Spain, France, Denmark, and New Zealand began drafting their own similar age-based restrictions. The new legislation also seeks to protect children from harmful content, such as material promoting eating disorders, crime, or dangerous stunts, as well as features designed to be addictive or damaging to a young person's self-esteem.

However, the path to making these changes a reality may be difficult. The Guardian Technology reports that while the idea of a "choose your own adventure" feed sounds promising, the success of the law depends heavily on how tech companies choose to implement it. In the past, companies have often hidden safety features deep within settings menus, making them hard for average users to find. Furthermore, there is a risk that companies might make the "opt-out" experience intentionally clunky or difficult to use, hoping that users will simply give up and return to the standard, algorithm-driven feed.

There are also concerns regarding how these platforms will respond to the new rules. Some tech companies have already expressed opposition to such regulations, arguing that strict rules might push young users toward less safe, unregulated online spaces. In Europe, similar attempts to force platforms to offer non-algorithmic feeds have faced legal challenges. For instance, a Dutch court had to intervene in 2025 after it was discovered that a major platform was automatically switching users back to its algorithm even after they had selected a different option.

Despite these challenges, the Australian government remains firm. The online safety watchdog in Australia has already been considering legal action against major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, claiming they have not done enough to keep children under 16 off their services. With the new bill expected to be approved by the Australian Parliament later this year, the pressure on these companies to change their design practices is increasing.

Ultimately, the debate highlights a growing global tension between the business models of big tech companies and the desire for safer, more transparent digital environments. While the government hopes this legislation will stop the spread of "outrage bait"—content designed specifically to make people angry or upset to increase engagement—the effectiveness of the law will depend on whether the platforms truly cooperate or find new ways to prioritize their own profits over user choice. For now, Australian users are waiting to see if they will finally be able to reclaim control over their own digital feeds.