Australia to Let Users Turn Off Social Media Algorithms

Mon Sep 07 2026 06:59:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Australia to Let Users Turn Off Social Media Algorithms

Draft law could give Australians the power to disable algorithms that curate social media content, sparking a debate over safety and censorship.

The Australian government is set to introduce legislation that would allow users to switch off algorithmic feeds on social media platforms. The minister said the move would enforce basic safety standards, while opposition voices warned it could lead to censorship. The law would also tackle harmful content such as illegal pornography and diet‑related videos, following a 2025 ban on under‑16s’ social media use. Tech firms could face penalties if they refuse to offer the option, and the draft is expected to be tabled in the coming days.

Australia to Let Users Turn Off Social Media Algorithms

The Australian government will introduce draft legislation that gives citizens the option to disable the algorithmic feed that drives most social media platforms. If companies such as Meta, Google or TikTok refuse to offer the switch, they face hefty penalties.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the move would add basic safety protections to a sector that “has not yet been forced to observe” such rules.

Opposition voices split. Liberal leader Angus Taylor called the proposal “highly sceptical” and warned it could veer into censorship, while some supporters see it as a step toward protecting the public from harmful content.

Wells clarified that the bill would still need “expert advice” on whether the choice should be opt‑in or opt‑out, echoing the earlier decision to ban social media for users under 16.

The bill also targets harmful content such as illegal pornography and diet‑related videos. “Big tech needs to meet basic safety standards,” Wells added.

Despite a world‑first ban last December, researchers find that most under‑16 users continue to use these platforms, and no tech firm has yet been fined for violating the ban.

Draft proposals are expected to be tabled in the coming days, potentially engaging issues of user choice, freedom of speech, and the role of algorithms in shaping online discourse.