Australia has introduced new digital safety legislation that would give social media users greater control over the content appearing in their feeds, including the option to opt out of personalised algorithmic recommendations. The proposed changes form part of the Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026, which seeks to strengthen online safety requirements and increase the responsibility of digital service providers.
The initiative, known as “My Feed, My Way,” would allow Australian users aged over 16 to choose between personalised content recommended by algorithms and feeds displaying content from accounts and creators they follow. The government announced the initiative in September, and the legislation was introduced to Parliament on October 15, 2026.
Under the proposed rules, social media services would be required to notify new and existing users and provide a choice regarding their default feeds. Users who opt out of personalised recommendations would instead see posts from accounts and creators they have chosen to follow.
The initiative would not ban algorithms entirely. Users who prefer personalised recommendations would still be able to choose that option. The proposal is intended to give users greater control over how content is selected and presented to them.
Algorithmic recommendation systems analyse signals such as users’ interactions and viewing activity to select content they may find relevant. Social media platforms use these systems to recommend videos, posts and other material beyond accounts users follow directly.
The proposed changes come amid concerns about features that encourage prolonged social media use and may expose users to harmful material. The government has said the wider legislation would establish minimum safety standards for online services.
The Digital Duty of Care Bill extends beyond social media feed settings. The government’s proposal includes requirements for digital services to take reasonable steps to protect users from foreseeable online harms.
It also addresses protections for people under 18 on services including gaming platforms, applications and AI chatbots. The specified areas of concern include pornography, content promoting eating disorders, material encouraging misogynistic attitudes, dangerous stunts and online abuse or bullying that causes serious mental health distress.
The legislation would also strengthen the role of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner in monitoring compliance with online safety requirements. Under the proposed framework, the regulator would have powers relating to the removal of harmful and illegal content.
The government has proposed penalties of up to A$109.2 million for non-compliance with relevant obligations. The precise requirements would depend on the final legislation and associated rules.
On October 15, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts opened a public consultation on the draft instrument detailing how the “My Feed, My Way” initiative would operate.
Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time on November 5, 2026. Feedback will help inform the final rules governing the choice between algorithm-recommended and following-only feeds.
The legislation has also attracted criticism over concerns about free speech and the potential scope of government oversight. Opposition politicians have questioned aspects of the bill, including how online harms would be defined. The government has defended the proposal as a measure to improve online safety and give users greater control.
A Senate inquiry is expected to scrutinise the legislation, with its findings due before Parliament rises at the end of November, according to ABC News.
The proposal follows Australia’s introduction of restrictions on social media accounts for children under 16. The government is continuing to pursue measures aimed at reducing online risks while increasing the responsibilities of technology companies.
If implemented, “My Feed, My Way” would give eligible Australian users a choice over whether personalised recommendations shape their default social media feeds. The initiative would preserve the option to use algorithmic recommendations while providing an alternative based on accounts users actively follow.
The bill’s final provisions, implementation requirements and enforcement arrangements will depend on the parliamentary process and the rules adopted by the government.
