New law to force social media giants to give Aussies option to opt out of algorithms

Social media giants like Meta and TikTok will be forced to allow Australian users to opt out of algorithms under a new proposal by the federal government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells on Tuesday announced a digital duty of care draft law that will put the onus on companies to prevent risks and harmful content like misogynistic content, pornography and eating disorders.

“Last year, Australia took world-leading action by banning children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.

“Today, in the parliament, we’re taking those laws further to ensure that they work as they intended.”

The package will include a measure that forces companies to notify users over 16 of the option to opt out of algorithms.

Read more

Barnaby Joyce says he’s ‘not Jesus Christ’ after being pressed on super policy

Social media companies that fail to do so would face fines of almost $110 million.

“You will have a choice about whether you want the algorithm or whether you want the following feed,” Wells said.

“And the reality is lots of people are going to want to choose the algorithm. Lots of people follow it for entertainment, lots of people follow it because they like supporting small local business in their suburb.”

Albanese dismissed concerns raised by the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation that clamping down on algorithms would result in government censorship.

“This is not about giving government control. It’s about giving people control. It’s about putting choice back into the hands of Australians online,” he said.

Algorithms prioritise content based on user information and online activity and have been recently criticised for serving young boys harmful and misogynistic content online following several high-profile sexual assault allegations involving school-aged boys across Australia.

Teach Us Consent chief executive Chanel Contos last week called for the federal government to create an opt-in measure for algorithms to make it harder for the companies to design a way around the rules.

“It usually starts with something harmless, like a workout video or motivational content,” she told the National Press Club on Wednesday.

“Very quickly, boys and men are taken into the manosphere – communities that persistently promote the idea that emotional control, material wealth, and physical appearance and dominance is what makes a man.”

The digital duty of care package will also empower the eSafety Commissioner to issue removal notices for nudify apps or websites, and streamline the child cyber-bullying and adult cyber abuse schemes and require platforms to document measures taken to address harm to Australian users.

Labor’s draft bill, titled “My Feed, My Way”, will be introduced to parliament later this year, where it is expected to pass with support from the Greens.

Read more

‘Like a wave crashing’: The key seats that could fall to One Nation at the next election

Shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson said the government should not dictate what Australians see online, and any major changes require proper scrutiny.

The Coalition will put forward amendments to the legislation to require companies to disclose factors and signals that drive their recommendation and algorithms.

It would also prevent companies from preventing online safety tools that parents install to block harmful content, restrict apps and websites and manage screen time.

“Parents should be in charge of how they protect their children online, not Silicon Valley and not Canberra,” Henderson said.