DistantNews
Support us
🇵🇦 Panama /Culture & Society

Australians could opt out of social media algorithms under new law

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Australia plans to introduce a bill requiring large technology companies such as Meta to let users turn off personalized recommendation algorithms.
  • Communications Minister Anika Wells said users should have the choice to use algorithms, while companies should respect decisions to disable them.
  • The proposal follows scrutiny of allegedly addictive algorithms and comes after data showed under-16s continued increasing their use of Instagram and TikTok despite a social media ban.

Australians could soon be able to switch off the powerful algorithms that shape what they see on social media. The government plans to present a bill to parliament this week requiring major technology companies to offer that choice.

The proposed legislation would impose a “digital duty of care” on companies such as Meta. Users would be able to disable algorithms that personalize recommendations according to their interests.

Many Australians appreciate the algorithm, both for the enjoyment it provides and the utility it brings.

· Anika WellsAustralia’s communications minister explained why some users may want to keep personalized recommendations.

“Many Australians appreciate the algorithm, both for the enjoyment it provides and the utility it brings,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told national broadcaster ABC. “Many Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we believe big tech companies should give them that option from the outset, and they should respect that choice.”

“We should give Australians more choice over what they see on their social media,” Wells said.

Many Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we believe big tech companies should give them that option from the outset, and they should respect that choice.

· Anika WellsWells argued that technology companies should offer users an opt-out choice.

Social media companies have faced sustained scrutiny over allegedly addictive algorithms. Critics accuse them of directing users toward sensational or extreme material to keep them scrolling.

The proposal follows Australia’s December legislation banning children from social media platforms. The measure was presented as a world-leading effort to protect children from cyberbullying and “predatory algorithms”. Britain, France and other countries have followed with similar moves. Data from last month showed that Australians under 16 were nevertheless increasing their use of apps including Instagram and TikTok.

We should give Australians more choice over what they see on their social media.

· Anika WellsWells summarized the government’s stated aim for the proposed legislation.
About this summary

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog