Australia proposes law allowing social media users to opt out of algorithms, tell me about this news in (https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/australia-proposes-law-allowing-social-media-users-opt-algorithms-rcna596747)

The Australian federal government has unveiled draft legislation under a broader “Digital Duty of Care” framework, proposing a new initiative called “My Feed, My Way.” The proposed law aims to rein in Big Tech’s recommendation algorithms and give users direct control over what they see on social media. The JournalKey Details of the Proposal

• Choice Over Default Feeds: Social media platforms (such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook) would be legally required to prompt both new and existing users with an active notification, allowing them to choose how their default feed is served. News4JAX
• Opting Out of Algorithms: Users aged 16 and older can choose whether to receive algorithmically curated recommendations or switch to a non-algorithmic feed that displays only content from accounts and creators they have chosen to follow. Users would be able to change this preference at any time. Quartz+ 1
• Curbing Addictive Features: The legislation targets platform design mechanisms that drive compulsive usage. For minors, platforms would be required to eliminate features that produce negative behavioral impacts, such as infinite scrolling and recommendation loops that push harmful, extreme, or addictive content. The Journal+ 1
• Massive Penalties: Tech companies failing to comply with the duty-of-care requirements could face fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars (around $78 million USD). Quartz
• Broader Scope: The safety obligations extend beyond conventional social media to include artificial intelligence chatbots, mobile apps, and online gaming environments. The Journal

Background and IntentThe initiative builds on Australia’s earlier legislation barring children under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells noted that the goal is not government censorship, but shifting accountability onto tech giants to stop treating users as engagement commodities and return control over content feeds directly to the public. The Journal+ 1