The Australian government is once again taking on social media giants by proposing new laws that would give users greater control over what they see online, including the option to switch off algorithmically recommended content.
Announced yesterday by Prime Minister Albanese alongside Communications Minister Anika Wells, the draft legislation outlines a proposed Digital Duty of Care, which would place responsibility on social platforms to reduce the risk of harm to users through exposure to violent, misogynistic and sexualised content.
The proposal follows the landmark implementation of an under-16 social media ban across Australia.
What Are The New Social Media Laws?
The initiative, called My Feed, My Way, would require social platforms to give Australians over the age of 16 a choice about how their default feeds look and serve them content. Users will have the option to opt out of the algorithm, instead exclusively seeing content from friends, creators and accounts they actively follow. It is a choice that can be reversed by users at any time.
“This is not about giving government control; it is about giving people control,” Albanese said of the proposal.
Albanese added that the proposed laws are intended to shift responsibility towards technology companies, rather than individuals, to navigate potentially harmful online environments.
The announcement followed consent advocate and founder of Teach Us Consent, Chanel Contos’ speech to the National Press Club last week, which called for this very opt-in algorithm proposal.
“The rise of the radicalisation of young men into misogyny online is an urgent challenge that must be addressed,” said Contos in her address, adding that it takes just 23 minutes for young boys to be exposed to harmful content upon joining social media.
What Is An Algorithm?
An algorithm is essentially a set of instructions used by a platform to determine what content you see.
On social media, algorithms analyse what you watch, like, comment on and interact with, and use that information to recommend similar content to you to engage with.
These algorithms mean users aren’t served chronological posts from accounts they follow. Instead, what content is served to you is determined by what platforms deem most relevant to you.
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