Australian social media users to be offered choice to opt out of algorithms
Summary
Australia plans new laws to give social media users over 16 the option to turn off algorithms that decide what they see in their feeds. The laws also aim to protect children from harmful content and hold big tech companies accountable with large fines if they don’t follow the rules.Key Facts
- Users aged 16 and older can choose to opt out of algorithm-driven feeds and instead see posts only from friends and creators they follow.
- The government wants to protect children from harmful content such as eating disorder promotion, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime, and dangerous stunts.
- Australia introduced laws in 2023 banning children under 16 from having accounts on major social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Social media companies face fines up to 109.2 million Australian dollars ($78.6 million) for not following the new rules.
- Platforms must notify users about their feed options when they sign up or continue using the service.
- The laws also cover digital services like online games and AI chatbots, requiring them to avoid addictive features and those harming self-esteem, especially for children.
- Australia’s online safety watchdog is considering legal action against major social media platforms for not fully protecting children under 16 on their sites.
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