Australia’s “My Feed, My Way” Bill Aims to Let Users Turn Off Social-Media Algorithms

On September 8, the Australian Labor government released an exposure draft of a “Digital Duty of Care” package that would require major platforms—Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and X—to present users aged 16 and over with a pop-up offering a choice between the default algorithmic feed and a feed limited to accounts they follow. Non-compliance could attract fines of up to A$109.2 million. The eSafety Commissioner would oversee enforcement, including removal notices for illegal or harmful content.

The Straits Times

Australia introduced a world-first ban on social-media accounts for children under 16 on December 10, 2025. Within a month, more than 5 million accounts were deactivated or removed, yet many under-16 users continued to access platforms. The algorithm-opt-out measure is presented as the next step in shifting responsibility for online harms from users to platform operators. Similar provisions exist in the EU’s Digital Services Act, but Australian officials say their approach makes the user choice a legal requirement rather than a voluntary feature.

Australia Moves to Let Users Ditch Social Media Algorithms — BigGo Finance

• Over 5 million accounts were deactivated after the under-16 ban.

'Digital duty of care' to let Aussies opt out of social media algorithms

• Penalties range from A$100 million to A$109.2 million.

Clean Technica

• Australia’s internet-using population is about 21 million, meaning the opt-out could affect the majority of online users.

NPR

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the proposal as a consumer-empowerment measure, emphasizing it does not give the government control over content. Communications Minister Anika Wells argued that platforms have been conducting “real-time, unregulated product testing” on Australians and that the law would impose a “digital duty of care” to protect users, especially children, from psycho-social harms. The eSafety Commissioner would gain expanded powers to issue takedown notices and require platforms to document risk-assessment processes.

'Digital duty of care' to let Aussies opt out of social media algorithms

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor warned the bill could become a tool for censorship, saying he was “deeply skeptical” and that the government had not yet shown the draft. Nationals leader Matt Canavan echoed the concern, stating he does not trust the Labor party to protect free speech. Industry lobby Digital Industry Group Incorporated (DIGI) acknowledged community concerns about recommender systems but defended their utility for surfacing relevant content.

The Guardian

Media reports differ on the maximum fine: some cite A$100 million, while the draft specifies A$109.2 million. The draft also leaves open how the opt-out will be implemented across platforms that already offer multiple feed options (e.g., Instagram’s “Following” and “Favorites” tabs), creating uncertainty about user experience and enforcement mechanisms. No detailed timeline for compliance has been disclosed.

Australia to Let Users Kill Algorithm Feeds

• “This is not about giving government control. It's about giving people control. It's about putting choice back into the hands of Australians online,” — Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister

CNBC

• “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, communications minister

Al Jazeera (website)

• “We'll require social media platforms to provide user empowerment tools that give people over the age of 16 genuine and enduring choice about what they see in their feeds,” — Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister

NPR

• “Big tech is going to spend a lot of money fighting these laws in the first place and finding every which way to get around them,” — Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens senator

The Guardian

• “I don’t trust big tech, but I trust the Labor party a lot less,” — Matt Canavan, senator

The Guardian