Australia plans legislation to require social media platforms allow users to opt out of algorithmic feeds.

What it means

Australia's government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, plans to introduce legislation that would require social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to offer users a choice to opt out of algorithmic content feeds. This means users could switch to a reverse-chronological feed—showing posts in the order they were published—rather than having content sorted by engagement-based algorithms. The move is part of a broader 'digital duty of care' framework aimed at increasing user control and reducing algorithmic harms.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is solidly sourced: the Sydney Morning Herald, a reputable secondary outlet, reports on a named primary source (the government's announcement or bill). Multiple other major outlets (AP, Reuters, The Guardian, NPR) independently confirm the same details, making the underlying fact well-established.

How new

This is genuinely new reporting from September 7–8, 2026, covering a fresh government announcement.

Go deeper

• Sydney Morning Herald
• The Guardian
• NPR