Australian lawmakers want users to control social media feeds. New legislation would force platforms to let people disable algorithms or face penalties. Tech giants are now in the spotlight.
Australia is moving to require platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok to let users turn off algorithm-driven content feeds. If companies do not offer a clear opt-out, they could face heavy fines. The proposed law is one of the few attempts to give people real control over what appears in their social media feeds.
This push comes as more countries question how algorithmic feeds shape what people see online. Communications Minister Anika Wells, who previously led efforts to ban social media for those under 16, is now focused on the systems that drive engagement and ad revenue for the biggest platforms. She says the new law would set basic safety standards for an industry that has mostly operated without them. According to a CNBC report, the "My Feed, My Way" package was announced by the Australian government on September 8, 2026. It would let users over 16 disable algorithmic feeds and see only posts from accounts they follow.
"The draft law requires platforms to present all new and existing users with a mandatory notification offering a choice between algorithmic and non-algorithmic feeds, rather than making it a voluntary setting."
- ABC News
If passed, the law would force platforms to build and maintain non-algorithmic feed options for Australian users. This would require technical changes and could affect how people find content, how publishers reach audiences, and how platforms make money. The law says users must get a clear notification to choose their feed mode, making this a required setting, not just an option buried in menus. ABC News reports that the requirement applies to both new and existing users.
Wells says the goal is not just to send a message. She argues that the law is needed to protect users from recommendation systems that have become the default for billions of people. The proposal is similar to recent efforts in California to limit algorithmic feeds for minors, as covered in this earlier report. The Australian government has not yet decided whether algorithmic feeds will be on or off by default. Wells says the draft is still open for feedback, and the final rules on opt-in versus opt-out are not set.
For the platforms, the risk is more than just fines. Turning off algorithms could mean people spend less time on the apps, see fewer ads, and make it harder for publishers and creators to reach new audiences. For users, the change promises more transparency and a rare chance to decide how their feeds work.
"The initiative follows Canberra's tougher stance on social media, coming after the law banning social networks for children under 16. In the days that followed, authorities expanded the agenda to include a so-called 'digital duty of care' for platforms."
- ABC News
Australia’s proposal is a direct challenge to the way algorithm-driven feeds have become standard. If lawmakers succeed, the effects could reach far beyond Australia. The move highlights how little choice users have had until now, and how quickly that could change if regulators step in. For publishers and creators, it signals that the era of unchecked algorithmic curation may be ending, and those who rely on platform-driven discovery will need to adapt to new rules where user control is required by law.
Under the draft law, companies that do not comply could face fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars (about 79 million US dollars). Some reports say penalties could exceed 100 million Australian dollars for serious violations. Minister Wells has said that if platforms ignore user choice, they should face "big fines," making clear the government intends to enforce the new rules.
