Would you switch off your algorithm?

Social media users across Bass Coast and South Gippsland could be given the power to switch off algorithm-driven content under proposed new national online safety laws.

The federal government released an exposure draft of its Digital Duty of Care legislation on Tuesday, September 8, with a proposal called “My Feed, My Way”.

It’s the federal government’s latest attempt to strengthen online protections, following the introduction of its social media ban for children aged under 16 last December.

Earlier this year, a Bass Coast College student told the Sentinel-Times that the ban “wasn’t very successful”, saying her YouTube account was removed when she was 15 yet remained unavailable after she turned 16.

And this newest change could also be noticeable.

Platforms would be required to offer users a choice between a personalised feed selected by an algorithm and a feed containing posts from friends, groups or creators they have chosen to follow.

Users would receive a notification asking them which option they would like to choose as their default feed, and if they changed their mind later, they could change it again through the platform.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposal would give Australians more control over what their feeds look like, and the content that appears on the screens that seem to be occupying more and more of our lives.

“This is sensible, pragmatic, practical reform,” Mr Albanese said at Tuesday’s announcement.

“It gives users choice and it will hold the big tech companies responsible for inaction if they don’t follow our laws.”

Algorithms essentially determine the content users are shown, based on factors including what they have previously viewed and interacted with.

It’s a dangerous equation that can keep people scrolling.

But under the proposed changes, users would be able to instead select a following-only feed, completely removing recommendations and posts from accounts they don’t follow.

“It’s not about giving government control. It’s about giving people control,” Mr Albanese said.

The proposed reforms would go beyond the posts appearing in someone’s feed.

Online services covered by the legislation would have a legal duty to assess risks created by their products and take reasonable steps to protect Australians from harmful material or conduct.

They would also be required to document the measures being taken and review whether those measures remained effective.

Stronger protections are proposed for users aged under 18, with covered services potentially including social media, online games and artificial-intelligence chatbots.

The listed risks for children include pornography and material that promotes eating disorders.

Misogynistic content, abuse, bullying or material glorifying dangerous stunts could also fall within the new protections.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said platforms would need to put the choice directly to users.

“What would you like your default primary feed to be? Would you like it to be the algorithm, or would you like it to be your following feed?” Ms Wells said.

“So, the friends that you follow, the content creators that you choose to follow, you as a user will have to be offered that choice.”

Companies that fail to comply with the rules could face penalties of up to $109.2 million, with the eSafety Commissioner responsible for enforcing the proposed requirements.

But the prospect has not been without resistance.

The Federal Coalition has said it will not support the draft in its current form, raising concerns about censorship and the amount of power that would be given to the government and online safety regulator.

The Greens have approached the proposal from the other direction, arguing that users should have to opt in to algorithm-driven feeds rather than having them selected by default.

Nothing changes just yet.

The proposal remains an exposure draft and must go through consultation before legislation is introduced to Parliament.

The government expects to introduce the bill before the end of the year.