Australia to let social media users switch off Big Tech algorithms

Australia is preparing legislation that would allow social media users to switch off algorithms that determine what appears in their feeds, in what would be a world-first attempt to give users greater control over content recommended by Big Tech.

Under the proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation, platforms would be required to regularly display pop-up messages asking users whether they want to continue with an algorithmically curated feed or see only posts from accounts they follow, ABC News reported.

The draft legislation is expected to be unveiled by the federal government this week.

It would also shift responsibility to social media companies to identify and mitigate risks on their platforms and prevent harmful content from reaching users, with additional protections covering several categories of psychosocial harm for people under 18.

Companies could face fines exceeding A$100 million ($66 million) for breaches.

Australia's eSafety commissioner and registered independent researchers would also be empowered to use accounts posing as children to investigate what platforms' algorithms recommend to young users.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor has expressed concern that the proposal could facilitate government censorship, while the Greens have called for tougher rules under which algorithmic feeds would be opt-in rather than opt-out.

The legislation follows Australia's restrictions on social media access for children under 16.