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Social Algorithm Opt-Out Locked in Under Legal Overhaul
Draft laws would force platforms to let Australians opt out of algorithms and could trigger fines of up to $100 million for breaches.
The Albanese government plans to release a 'digital duty of care' draft for public comment later this week, following an urgent bill targeting social media companies with $109.2 million in fines set to go before the Senate on Tuesday.
Labor's Matt Thistlethwaite told News24's Sunday Agenda program the changes aim to prevent boys from being exposed to violent and misogynistic material, emphasizing that "platforms have a responsibility to try and keep young Australian kids safe."
Consent activist Chanel Contos told the National Press Club an algorithm opt-out is a positive first step, yet argues for linear feeds to "fundamentally make the transition onto social media for 16-year-olds and other children safer."
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor expressed skepticism on Sunday, warning the reforms risk "censorship of the internet" and criticizing prior efforts for failing to stop more than 80 per cent of 12-to-17-year-olds from using platforms.
These reforms aim to empower eSafety Commission chief Julie Inman Grant to target platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for failing to enforce age-related access restrictions, holding tech giants accountable under the new framework.