Summary
- Australia, in the latest push to control the digital landscape, has proposed an “off switch” option for social media users to improve online safety for youngsters.
- Under the proposed plan presented by the centre-left Labor government, social media platforms will be required to inform users and give them the choice to set or arrange their feeds according to their preferences.
- It gives users choice and it will hold the big tech companies responsible for inaction if they don’t follow our laws.” Under the proposed “My Feed, My Way” initiative outlined by Albanese, digital platforms would need to document how they mitigate harm to Australian users and maintain the ongoing effectiveness of those safeguards.
Australia, in the latest push to control the digital landscape, has proposed an “off switch” option for social media users to improve online safety for youngsters.
Under the proposed plan presented by the centre-left Labor government, social media platforms will be required to inform users and give them the choice to set or arrange their feeds according to their preferences.
Users can also opt for personalized content recommended by an algorithm. If someone wants to opt out of algorithmically recommended content, they can easily do so and only see posts from the friends and creators they follow.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appreciated the plan, stating, “This is sensible, pragmatic, practical reform. It gives users choice and it will hold the big tech companies responsible for inaction if they don’t follow our laws.”
Under the proposed “My Feed, My Way” initiative outlined by Albanese, digital platforms would need to document how they mitigate harm to Australian users and maintain the ongoing effectiveness of those safeguards.
Australia’s internet regulator, eSafety, would supervise enforcement, with non-compliance penalties reaching up to A$109.2 million ($79 million).
In imposing fines, eSafety will be empowered to issue notices requiring big tech companies to remove harmful, illegal and nudity-related content.
“It’s not about giving the government control. It’s about giving people control,” Albanese said.
The government will also seek feedback from digital platform industry bodies, civil society organisations and advocates on the draft legislation.
The bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament this year.
The move comes as social media platforms have been under fire over their addictive designs and features aimed at young users.
However, social media platforms have not yet responded to the plan.
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