Australia Empowers Users Against Big Tech Algorithms

Australia is taking significant steps to regulate Big Tech by introducing a "digital duty of care" law. This proposed legislation would empower social media users with the ability to opt out of algorithmically recommended content. The initiative, branded "my feed, my way," aims to grant users control over their online feeds, allowing them to see content only from accounts they follow.

This regulatory push comes after Australia implemented a ban on social media for individuals under 16 in December. The government asserts the new law is not about censorship but about returning control to Australians online. The measures also seek to protect individuals under 18 from harmful content and addictive features across various online platforms and games.

Under the proposed rules, harmful content includes the promotion of eating disorders, misogyny, and non-consensual intimate imagery. The eSafety Commissioner will be granted powers to issue takedown notices for such content. Companies failing to comply with these regulations could face substantial fines, reaching up to A$109.2mn.