Australian social media users will be given the option to opt out of relying on algorithms to determine what appears in their feeds, under draft legislation announced by the government on Tuesday, aimed at giving users greater control over the content they see on their home pages.
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"We will require social media platforms to provide tools that give users over the age of 16 real, ongoing choice over what they see on their feeds," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
The proposed legislation would also protect children from content that promotes eating disorders, hostility toward women, pornography, crime, and dangerous stunts, as well as content that could cause serious harm to mental health.
The move to strengthen user control and child protection online comes after Australia introduced, in December of last year, the world's first laws of their kind banning children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
"This gives users freedom of choice, and it will hold big tech companies accountable for failing to act. If they don't comply with our laws, they'll face significant penalties," Albanese said.
Fines under the proposed legislation, known as the Digital Duty of Care, could reach AU$109.2 million (about US$78.6 million).
According to a government statement, social media platforms will be required to send notices to new and existing users, allowing them to choose the default way content is displayed on their feeds.
Users will be able to choose between viewing personalized content suggested by algorithms, or limiting their feed to content from friends and creators they've chosen to follow.
Digital services, including video games, apps, and AI-based chatbots, will also be required to protect children from design features that could have negative behavioral effects, such as features that encourage addictive use or that could affect their self-esteem.
Last April, Australia's eSafety Commissioner said it was considering legal action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, accusing the platforms of not doing enough to prevent Australian children under 16 from using them.
