Australia proposes law letting users switch off social media recommendation algorithms

The Australian government this week introduced a new set of laws in parliament aimed at regulating large technology companies. The main proposal is an "algorithm switch": social media platforms would have to let users turn off recommended content so that their feed shows only posts from accounts they follow. The aim is to reduce the effect of harmful content on users' mental health.

What the bill contains

The switch is part of the Digital Duty of Care bill. It would require online services, including social media firms, gaming sites and chatbots, to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe online environment. Children would have to be protected from harmful material such as pornography and content encouraging eating disorders or harmful attitudes towards women. Adults would be protected from "seriously harmful" material, a much narrower category. Breaches could bring fines of up to A$100m (£52m).

The government says following-only feeds must not be harder to use or less functional, algorithm settings must be obvious, and they must not change without an explicit choice by the user, even if they leave the app. Campaigner Chanel Contos, whose "Fix Our Feeds" petition gathered more than 15,000 signatures, had wanted algorithms off by default; the government stopped short of that.

Experiences and criticism

Varsha Yajman, 24, who is recovering from anorexia, and Flynn Martin of Melbourne, who was drawn into the online "manosphere", told the BBC that algorithms contributed to their struggles. Both are sceptical about the reforms.

Meta, Snap, TikTok, X and Google declined to comment to the BBC. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri argued that non-algorithmic feeds would mean users see fewer posts from friends. Right-wing parties in Australia and the Trump administration warn of censorship risks, which Communications Minister Anika Wells rejects. A similar EU requirement from 2023 has seen low take-up, though the Netherlands has better options after a court ruling against Meta.