Australia Introduces Landmark 'Opt-Out' Legislation to Target Big Tech Algorithms

The Australian government plans to introduce legislation this week that would require social media platforms to give users an option to turn off recommended algorithms, Communications Minister Anika Wells told the ABC national broadcaster.

The proposed legislation would mandate that companies like Meta undertake a digital duty of care as the government steps up its efforts to tackle online harm.

'A lot of Australians appreciate the algorithm, both for the enjoyment they get out of it or the utility they get out of it,' Anika Wells said. 'A lot of Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we think that Big Tech should offer them the choice in the first place, and they should respect that choice.'

Australia’s opposition leader, Angus Taylor, told the ABC that the Coalition had not yet seen the Labor government’s bill, expressing deep skepticism and concerns regarding potential government censorship of social media.

Social media firms have long faced scrutiny over their use of allegedly addictive algorithms and stand accused of directing users to sensational or extreme content to keep them scrolling.

This initiative follows Australia's world-first ban in December preventing under-16s from accessing social media platforms to protect children from online bullying and predatory algorithms. Despite this ban, data from last month indicated that Australian children were still increasing their use of apps such as Instagram and TikTok.