Australia’s government confirmed on Tuesday that it would seek to implement legislation to enable all social media users to opt out of engagement-based algorithms. The move would let users switch to a chronological post order by default, ensuring that users only see content from profiles that have explicitly followed, and are not influenced by platform amplification.
This approach could effectively establish the largest test case of an algorithm-free social media option, which would provide more insight into the impact of recommendation systems on potentially harmful aspects, such as the spread of misinformation and the amplification of divisive content.
As outlined in a press release from the office of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: “Social media platforms will be required to send a notification to new and existing users offering them a choice over their default feed. Users can choose to opt in to having their default feed include personalised content recommended by the algorithm. Alternatively, users can opt out of personally recommended content in their default feed and see the friends and creators they choose to follow.”
To be clear, most platforms already offer an algorithm opt-out of sorts, but the option is generally hidden in a side menu. Meanwhile, none of the major platforms offer an algorithm-free experience as the default, though users can set the “Following” feed as the main option on the desktop versions of both X and Threads.
Australia’s requirement to make this a default option could have a significant impact on broader social media usage, and could see many Australians switching out of compulsive algorithmic feeds as a result.
In addition, the Australian government also wants to enact new regulations around addictive features in social media apps and AI chatbots, including tougher restrictions on content related to eating disorders, crime, gender equality and dangerous stunts.
“Australians will benefit from better protection from seriously harmful and illegal content across digital services, and social media users will be afforded more choice,” the government release said.
Australian regulatory authorities will be empowered to hand out penalties of up to $109.2 million to platforms that fail to comply with the new regulations, with the full parameters set to be established over the coming months.
It’s a significant step, which could have broad-reaching implications, not just for Australian social media users, but users all around the world. If the test shows that algorithmic amplification does indeed exacerbate harmful impacts, then other regions may also follow suit, while a switch in content distribution could also lead to all-new approaches from publishers that are looking to maintain connections with their audiences.
