Australia is introducing significant new legislation aimed at increasing user control and safety on social media platforms, a move that has drawn criticism from former US President Donald Trump and some domestic political figures. The proposed laws, spearheaded by the Albanese government, seek to empower users by offering choices in how their content feeds are curated and mandate stronger protections against harmful online material.
Digital Duty of Care and User Control Initiatives
At the heart of the proposed legislation is a “digital duty of care” that would require social media companies to adhere to minimum safety standards. A key component, referred to as the “My Feed, My Way” initiative, would compel platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to provide users with a clear option to opt out of algorithm-driven content recommendations. Instead, users could choose a chronological feed consisting solely of posts from accounts they follow.
This proposed change aims to give individuals greater agency over their online experience, moving away from content dictated by engagement-maximizing algorithms. Platforms would be required to present this choice prominently, potentially through a pop-up notification upon user login.
Protecting Users from Harmful Content
Beyond user control, the legislation places a strong emphasis on safeguarding users, particularly children and teenagers, from a range of harmful content. This includes material that promotes eating disorders, misogynistic views, pornography, and the glorification of criminal activities. The government also intends to protect younger users from addictive platform features.
The draft bill mandates that digital service providers conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential harms and the platform features that contribute to them. These assessments would need to be made available to the eSafety Commissioner upon request. Furthermore, the legislation empowers the eSafety Commissioner with enhanced tools to address issues such as child sexual exploitation, grooming, incitement of sexual violence, terrorism support, drug use, and violent conduct. The commissioner would also gain the ability to issue removal notices for specific types of harmful applications and websites and streamline existing cyberbullying and abuse schemes.
Potential Penalties for Non-Compliance
Companies that fail to meet these new safety and user control standards could face substantial financial penalties. The proposed fines could reach up to AUD $100 million, representing a significant deterrent for major technology firms operating in Australia. These measures are intended
