Social media feeds could soon look very different for users in Australia. The Australian government is preparing legislation that could give people greater control over how content is recommended to them, including the option to turn off personalised algorithms.

The proposed rules are expected to be introduced in the Australian Parliament this week. If passed, major technology companies could be required to give users a meaningful choice over whether they want algorithm-driven recommendations.

Big Tech Could Have to Offer an Algorithm-Free Option

According to an AFP report, the proposed legislation would allow social media users to disable recommendation systems that personalise feeds based on their online activity and interests.

Platforms such as Meta could potentially be required to provide this option rather than automatically placing users into an algorithmically curated feed.

The proposed framework could also introduce a "digital duty of care" for major technology companies, increasing their responsibility for the potential effects of their platforms on users.

Government Says Users Should Have the Right to Choose

Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells has argued that people should have greater control over what appears in their social media feeds.

The government acknowledges that personalised algorithms can be useful and entertaining. However, its position is that users should be able to decide whether they want such systems influencing the content they see.

In other words, the proposal isn't necessarily about eliminating recommendation algorithms altogether. Instead, it could give users the choice to switch them off.

Why Are Social Media Algorithms Being Questioned?

Social media platforms use recommendation algorithms to analyse signals such as what users watch, like, share and interact with. The systems then use that information to recommend content they believe users are likely to engage with.

Critics argue that these systems can encourage people to spend more time on platforms. There are also concerns that engagement-focused recommendations can sometimes amplify sensational, misleading or extreme content.

Giving users the option to move away from personalised recommendations could therefore provide a different way to consume social media content.

Australia Has Already Taken a Tough Stance on Social Media

Australia has already introduced some of the world's toughest social-media regulations.

The country passed legislation restricting children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, making it the first country to introduce such a broad age-based restriction.

However, reports and emerging data suggest that some children are still finding ways to access platforms such as Instagram and TikTok despite the restrictions.

A Bigger Debate Over Who Controls Your Feed

If Australia's proposed algorithm rules become law, they could add another important dimension to the global debate over social media regulation.

The central question is increasingly shifting from "What should social media show me?" to "Should I have the right to decide how social media chooses what I see?"

For users, the proposed legislation could ultimately mean more control over their feeds and a greater choice between personalised recommendations and a less algorithm-driven social media experience.