Australia Gives Social Media Users More Control Over Their Feeds

Australia is taking another step toward tightening rules around social media platforms, with the government proposing new laws that would give users greater control over what appears on their feeds.

Under draft legislation announced on Tuesday, social media companies would have to notify users about how their feeds are selected and give them a choice between personalised, algorithm-driven recommendations and a feed based only on accounts they have chosen to follow.

The proposal follows Australia’s world-first social media restrictions for children and reflects growing concerns about how recommendation algorithms influence what people see online.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the proposed reforms as a practical way to give Australians more control while making major technology companies more accountable. Under the planned system, users could choose to receive content recommended by algorithms or turn off personalised recommendations and see posts only from friends and creators they follow.

The move follows a similar approach in the European Union, where platforms have been required since 2024 under the Digital Services Act to provide users with options to switch off certain forms of personalised content and profiling.

Australia’s proposed “My Feed, My Way” initiative would also require digital platforms to document the steps they take to identify and reduce risks of harm to Australian users. Those measures would have to remain effective over time.

Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to A$109.2 million, while Australia’s eSafety regulator would be responsible for enforcement.

The regulator would also receive stronger powers to require major technology companies to quickly remove harmful, illegal and nudity-related content. However, free speech advocates have raised concerns that the new powers could lead to excessive censorship.

The government plans to consult technology companies, industry groups, civil society organisations and other advocates before introducing the legislation to Parliament later this year.

The proposed rules underline Australia’s growing focus on making social media platforms more transparent while giving users greater say over the content they encounter online.