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🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Australians could opt out of social media algorithms under proposed law

From The Straits Times · () English

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

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency New plan
  • Australia plans to introduce legislation requiring major social media companies to offer users the option to disable personalized recommendation algorithms.
  • Communications Minister Anika Wells said users should have more control over what appears in their feeds, even though many Australians value algorithmic recommendations.
  • The proposal forms part of a broader crackdown on big tech and follows scrutiny of algorithms accused of directing users toward sensational or extreme content.

Australians could soon choose whether social media algorithms shape what they see in their feeds under draft legislation targeting big technology companies.

The proposed law, which requires a “digital duty of care,” is expected to reach Parliament this week. It would require companies such as Meta to let users turn off algorithms that tailor recommendations to their personal tastes.

A lot of Australians appreciate the algorithm, both for the enjoyment they get out of it or the utility they get out of it.

· Anika WellsAustralia’s communications minister acknowledged that many users value personalized recommendations.

“A lot of Australians appreciate the algorithm, both for the enjoyment they get out of it or the utility they get out of it,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told the national broadcaster ABC. “A lot of Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we think that big tech should offer them the choice in the first place, and they should respect that choice.”

A lot of Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we think that big tech should offer them the choice in the first place, and they should respect that choice.

· Anika WellsShe explained why the proposed law would require platforms to provide an opt-out.

Wells said Australians should have more choice over what appears in their feeds. Social media companies have faced sustained scrutiny over allegedly addictive algorithms and accusations that they direct users toward sensational or extreme material to keep them scrolling.

The proposal follows Australia’s December legislation barring children from social media platforms. The measure formed part of what was described as a world-first effort to protect children from online bullying and “predatory algorithms.” Data released in August found that Australians under 16 were still increasing their use of apps including Instagram and TikTok despite the ban. Britain, France and other countries have since taken similar steps.

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

· Anika WellsShe described the government’s stated goal for users’ control over social media feeds.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. 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.

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