Story perspectives

Australia’s new law forces algorithmic-feed opt-out, fines up to A$109.2M

9/9/2026

Left

Government Mandates Opt-Out

On 8 September 2026 the Australian government announced legislation requiring platforms to offer an opt-out of algorithmic feeds.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticised the opt-out, urging an opt-in system and revenue-based fines to stop big-tech evasion.
Platforms must send a push notification offering a choice between algorithmic and follow-only feeds.
The eSafety Commissioner may issue removal notices for child-harm content, including pornography and misogyny.

Right

Australia Mandates Opt-Out

On 8 September 2026 Australia introduced draft legislation requiring platforms to offer an opt-out of algorithmic feeds.
Opposition leaders seek amendments forcing platforms to disclose algorithmic weighting and to bolster parental-safety tools.
The Digital Duty of Care Bill requires a pop-up opt-out notice for users over 16.
Violations may incur fines up to A$109.2 million per breach, enforced by the eSafety Commissioner.

Center

Australia Mandates Opt-Out

On 8 September 2026 the Australian government announced legislation requiring social-media platforms to offer an opt-out from algorithmic feeds, with fines up to AU$109.2 million.
The eSafety Commissioner may grant approved researchers platform data and permit false-identity safety testing.
This law imposes a digital duty of care to block illegal content and harmful posts.
Angus Taylor and Pauline Hanson called it censorship, noting a 2025 ban left children online.

Blindspot

A 2025 law banning under-16s from social-media accounts left more than 80 % of children still using the platforms three months after the ban, according to government data.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning and Right-leaning coverage.

1 of 4

Government Mandates Opt-Out

On 8 September 2026 the Australian government announced legislation requiring platforms to offer an opt-out of algorithmic feeds.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticised the opt-out, urging an opt-in system and revenue-based fines to stop big-tech evasion.
Platforms must send a push notification offering a choice between algorithmic and follow-only feeds.
The eSafety Commissioner may issue removal notices for child-harm content, including pornography and misogyny.

1 / 4