Australian government proposes social media algorithm opt-out

The Australian government has unveiled a proposed digital duty of care legislation that could allow social media users to opt out of algorithmic feeds. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested a pop-up notification system that would let users choose between the current engagement-based 'doom-scrolling' model or a chronological feed of content from friends and followed groups. The proposal aims to curb the spread of toxic content, misinformation, and radicalization, which have become significant concerns for both teens and adults. While the initiative is framed as empowering users, experts remain skeptical about implementation. Similar efforts in Europe have faced resistance from tech giants like Meta, which have been accused of making opt-out processes intentionally difficult. The success of the legislation will depend on strict compliance requirements and whether the government can overcome potential political opposition to the broader online harms framework.