Australian social media users to be offered choice to opt out of algorithms

Australia is proposing new laws that would give social media users over 16 more control over what appears in their feeds.

Users would be able to choose between personalized content recommended by algorithms or posts from friends and creators they specifically follow.

The proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation would also require platforms to protect children from harmful content involving eating disorders, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts and serious mental-health risks.

Companies that fail to follow the rules could face fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars, or about $79 million, NPR has reported.

The proposal follows Australia’s ban on social media accounts for children under 16 and is part of a broader effort to hold technology companies responsible for online safety.