Published : 08 Sep 2026, 12:35 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:48 AM
Australia is drafting legislation that would allow its 21 million social media users to opt out of platform algorithms, in what would be a world-first regulatory move by the Labour government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The proposed "digital duty of care" rules, expected to go before parliament this week, would compel platforms including X, Instagram, and Facebook to offer users the option to disable personalised content recommendations, reports The Independent.
Users would be able to exercise that choice through pop-up prompts, and could switch to feeds showing content only from accounts they follow.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said platforms would also be required to identify and manage risks on their services.
The legislation targets the spread of illegal content and aims to limit young users' exposure to harmful material, including content related to eating disorders and body image.
Six additional areas of "psycho-social harm" -- among them bullying -- would be covered specifically for children.
Platforms found in breach of the new rules face fines of up to around $72 million (A$100 million).
The proposal is separate from Australia's pending Online Safety Amendment Bill, which seeks to tighten enforcement of its existing ban on social media access for under-16s -- a ban that research suggests a majority of children were still circumventing as of July, months after it came into force in December.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor voiced scepticism, warning the rules could amount to government censorship of social media, while stopping short of outright opposition pending sight of the legislation.
Experts have stressed that enforcement will be key.
Tama Leaver, professor of internet studies at Curtin University, said the legislation appeared to include provisions for Australia's eSafety Commissioner and independent researchers to assess platform compliance.
How the government intends to enforce the rules in practice remains unclear.
