Australia Plans Social Media Algorithm Opt-Out for Users Over 16

September 8, 2026

Canberra: Australians aged over 16 could soon be given the option to opt out of social media content algorithms under proposed digital duty of care laws announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday.

The proposed rules would require social media platforms to allow users to choose whether they want algorithm-driven feeds or prefer to see content only from accounts they follow.

Users to Get More Control Over Social Media Feeds

Albanese said the proposed changes are aimed at giving Australians greater control over what they see online.

The rules would require platforms to respect the choice of users aged over 16 regarding the type of feed they receive when they open a social media application.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said Australians over 16 would be able to opt in or opt out of algorithms easily.

The government said the digital duty of care would also require online platforms to take greater responsibility for potential harms caused by their services.

Platforms Face Up to A$100 Million Fine

The proposed legislation would also require platforms to protect users under 18 from harmful content, including material promoting eating disorders, misogyny and the glorification of crime.

Platforms found breaching the new regulations could face fines of up to A$100 million (around US$72.1 million).

Wells said technology companies needed to take greater responsibility for the impact of their platforms on Australians, describing the proposed measures as the next step in regulating online services.

Australia Already Has Under-16 Social Media Ban

The announcement comes after Albanese’s Labor government introduced a world-first social media minimum-age law in 2024. The legislation, which restricts children under 16 from using social media platforms, came into effect in December 2025.

Albanese and Wells had said in June that the maximum penalty for platforms breaching the minimum-age requirements would be doubled to A$99 million.

The latest proposal expands Australia’s efforts to regulate social media platforms by focusing not only on children’s access but also on how algorithms shape content users see online.