Australia would flip social feeds to opt-in algorithm

The Australian Government released draft Digital Duty of Care legislation on Tuesday, with a "My Feed, My Way" rule at its centre that would invert the default on personalised social feeds.

Under the proposal, platforms must offer every user an explicit choice between an algorithmic feed and a chronological feed of accounts they follow. The non-algorithmic option has to be presented on equal footing, both at sign-up and on demand.

For users under 18, the bill layers in design and content protections: limits on addictive features, restrictions on eating-disorder, hostile-gender and crime-glorifying content, and a block on pornography. The eSafety Commissioner would gain new power to issue takedown notices against "nudify" apps and websites, with streamlined cyber-bullying and adult cyber-abuse schemes.

Non-compliance would carry a penalty of up to A$109.2 million, with eSafety as the independent enforcement body, according to ABC News.

The bill sits in targeted consultation, not before Parliament. The Government frames it as the next step after Australia's social media age ban. Consumer-tech outlet EFTM argues the off-ramp could still ship as a checkbox and that the fine is a rounding error for the largest platforms. Those questions are worth watching as the consultation closes.