Australia is preparing a new regulatory approach that could give social media users greater control over how content is recommended to them. The federal government is working on Digital Duty of Care legislation that is expected to address online safety and the role of powerful recommendation algorithms used by major technology platforms.
Under the proposed approach, users could be given the option to switch off personalised recommendation systems. This would allow people to have greater control over the content appearing in their feeds rather than relying entirely on algorithms that analyse their interests, behaviour and previous interactions.
The proposal is part of a broader effort by the Australian government to increase the responsibility of technology companies for the safety of their platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on September 7 that the government was moving forward with its Digital Duty of Care and was examining what further action could be taken against harmful algorithms. He argued that users should have greater control over what they consume online.
Social media algorithms are designed to select and recommend content that platforms believe users are likely to engage with. These systems can consider factors such as viewing history, searches, likes, comments and other interactions. Personalised recommendations can make platforms easier to use, but governments and researchers have increasingly raised concerns about the potential impact of algorithmic systems when they repeatedly direct users toward harmful, misleading or extreme material.
Australia’s latest proposal comes after the country introduced strict social media age restrictions. Since December 10, 2025, age-restricted social media platforms have been required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. Platforms covered by the rules include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X and other services identified by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner.
The government has said its Digital Duty of Care would go beyond age restrictions. The broader objective is to require online service providers to take reasonable steps to create safer digital environments for users. According to the Prime Minister, the government is particularly concerned about recommendation systems that can direct people toward increasingly extreme or harmful material.
The proposed algorithm controls could therefore represent an important change in the relationship between users and social media companies. Instead of allowing personalised feeds to operate as the default without an alternative, users could receive a clearer choice over whether they want recommendations based on their online behaviour.
A separate private member’s bill already before the Australian Senate also seeks to require social media services to provide users with the option to opt out of receiving algorithmically recommended content. The Online Safety Amendment (Fix Our Feeds) Bill 2026 was introduced in April and remains before the Senate. It also proposes reporting and risk assessment requirements for online service providers.
However, the government’s broader Digital Duty of Care proposal and the private member’s bill should not be treated as the same legislation. The government’s proposed framework is still being developed, while the Senate bill is a separate parliamentary initiative.
The exact operation of any future algorithm opt-out system will depend on the final legislation and regulations. It remains to be seen which platforms would be covered, how the option would appear to users, what type of feed would replace personalised recommendations and how companies would be required to demonstrate compliance.
The Australian government is also continuing to strengthen enforcement of its existing social media minimum-age rules. In June, the government announced legislation to expand the eSafety Commissioner’s information-gathering powers and increase the maximum penalty for breaches of the under-16 social media law to A$99 million.
The debate over algorithms also raises questions about privacy, freedom of choice, online safety and the role of government in regulating technology companies. Supporters of stronger regulation argue that users should not be exposed to potentially harmful recommendation systems without meaningful alternatives. Critics, meanwhile, may question whether government intervention could affect how platforms operate or influence the type of content users receive.
For social media companies, the proposed changes could require adjustments to recommendation systems, user settings and compliance procedures. Major platforms may also face greater obligations to assess and manage risks associated with their products and services.
For users, the most significant potential change would be the ability to choose between a personalised feed and a less algorithmically driven experience. Such a system could make it easier for people to decide how much influence recommendation technology has over the content they see.
Australia’s approach is being closely watched because the country has already introduced some of the world’s most significant social media regulations. The government’s latest proposals indicate that its focus is moving beyond simply restricting access for younger users toward broader questions about how online platforms operate.
The proposed algorithm off-switch is not yet an enacted law. Further parliamentary consideration, consultation and regulatory details will determine whether and how the measure becomes part of Australian law. For now, the government’s stated position is that technology companies should carry greater responsibility for creating safer online environments while users should have more meaningful control over their digital experiences.