Australia Plans Digital Duty of Care Bill With Social Media Algorithm Opt-Out
Draft laws would force platforms to offer an algorithm opt-out and could trigger fines of more than A$100 million for breaches, the government said.
- On Tuesday, Australia's government released draft legislation requiring social media platforms to offer users pop-up opt-outs for recommender algorithms, with breaches attracting fines exceeding A$100 million.
- Australia's 2025 social media ban for under-16s provides the foundation for this new 'My Feed, My Way' initiative, which aims to curb exposure to predatory algorithms prioritizing engagement-driven content.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the measure ensures 'basic safety standards' by forcing tech companies to identify and mitigate risks like illegal pornography and eating disorders. Platforms must document their risk-mitigation efforts.
- Liberal leader Angus Taylor expressed skepticism, warning the proposal could amount to censorship; Communications Minister Anika Wells countered that legislation focuses on mitigating platform risks rather than restricting expression.
- Expected to be introduced to Parliament later this week, the bill positions Australia as a global leader in demanding tech accountability as similar algorithmic transparency debates intensify worldwide.
168 Articles
168 Articles
After banning social networks for children under the age of 16, the Australian government intends to present a new text imposing a "duty of protection" on the platforms.
Social media users in Australia are moving closer to controlling their feeds. Here’s how
Australian social media users would be given a choice to opt out of algorithms under proposed laws announced by the government Tuesday that would let users have more control over what they see on their social media feeds.“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,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canbe…
In Australia, a new bill has been drafted that includes regulations allowing social media users to decide whether or not they see algorithm-recommended content in their feeds. According to the statement, the bill also includes provisions regarding digital services for those under 18...
Action follows after restriction to children under the age of 16, similar to the EU proposal. Australian government says reform is sensible and practical, opposition challenges with "censorship to freedom of expression".
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