Australia is preparing another major move against Big Tech, proposing new laws that would allow users aged 16 and over to opt out of personalised social media recommendations.

The draft legislation, announced on 8 September 2026 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells, forms part of the government’s broader Digital Duty of Care reforms.

Under the proposal, social media platforms would need to notify new and existing users and give them a clear choice over their default feed.

Australians could opt in to personalised content recommended by an algorithm or opt out and see posts from the friends and creators they choose to follow.

“This is not about giving government control, it is about giving people control,” Mr Albanese said.

The proposal builds on Australia’s world-first social media age restrictions, which came into effect on 10 December 2025. These restrictions require designated platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping accounts.

The Digital Duty of Care would extend beyond social media to apps, online games, messaging services and AI chatbots.

Digital services would be required to protect people under 18 from harmful design features and content, including addictive features, eating-disorder material, hostile ideas about women and gender equality, pornography, bullying, dangerous stunts and content that glorifies crime.

The draft laws would also give the eSafety Commissioner the power to issue removal notices for nudify apps and websites. They would streamline the child cyberbullying and adult cyber-abuse schemes, allowing eSafety to respond more quickly to harmful material.

Companies that fail to comply with the Digital Duty of Care could face penalties of up to $109.2 million.

The government has released the draft legislation for targeted consultation and says it will be introduced to Parliament later in 2026.

If passed, Australians aged 16 and over would be able to choose between personalised algorithmic recommendations and a default feed featuring the friends and creators they deliberately follow.

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