Australia introduces bill letting users switch off recommendation algorithms
Australia's government tabled the Digital Duty of Care Bill 2026, which would make platforms let users turn off algorithmic recommendations and add wider online safety duties. It must pass both houses of Parliament before becoming law.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1Legislation was tabled in Australia's parliament to force big technology companies to let users switch off the algorithms that send them recommended content. BBC NewsN “New legislation is being tabled in Australia's parliament today to force big tech to allow users to switch off algorithms which send them recommended content” Read at BBC News ↗ Centre · 1Anadolu Agency reported that the measure is the Digital Duty of Care Bill 2026, which would require technology companies to proactively prevent online harms rather than respond after they occur. Anadolu AgencyN “The Digital Duty of Care Bill 2026 would require technology companies to proactively prevent online harms rather than respond after they occur.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1According to a statement on Communications Minister Anika Wells' website, Australians aged over 16 would be able to choose between algorithmically recommended content as their primary feed or accounts they follow. Anadolu AgencyN “Australians aged over 16 would be able to choose between algorithmically recommended content as their primary feed or accounts they follow.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Centre · 1The bill would set minimum safety standards for social media platforms, gaming services, apps and AI chatbots, and would require platforms to protect users under 18 from harmful content such as material promoting eating disorders, dangerous stunts, criminal behaviour and hostility toward women. Anadolu AgencyN “The proposed law would establish minimum safety standards for social media platforms, gaming services, applications and artificial intelligence chatbots.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1It would also let the eSafety Commissioner remove AI-powered nudification services and cut response deadlines for cyberbullying and online abuse complaints from 48 hours to 24. Anadolu AgencyN “reduce response deadlines for cyberbullying and online abuse complaints from 48 to 24 hours” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1Companies that breach the rules could face penalties of up to A$109.2 million (US$75 million), while professional news content and entertainment media would be exempt. Anadolu AgencyN “Companies violating the requirements could face penalties of up to $109.2 million Australian dollars ($75 million).”“Professional news content and entertainment media would be exempt from the proposed provisions.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Centre · 1Wells called the Digital Duty of Care "the next step in our world-leading online safety laws", saying it would set basic safety standards for digital services as exist for food, cars and kids' toys. Anadolu AgencyN “"The Digital Duty of Care is the next step in our world-leading online safety laws," Wells said.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and must pass both houses, including the Senate, to become law; it follows Australia's restrictions on social media access for children under 16. Anadolu AgencyN “The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and must pass both houses of Parliament, including the Senate, before becoming law.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1The BBC noted that Australia is not the first country to try forcing platforms to allow algorithm switch-offs. BBC NewsN “but it's not the first country to try” Read at BBC News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both centre outlets report the bill as a straightforward policy development; the BBC frames it as a novel experiment in user control, Anadolu as a broad online-safety package.
- Emphasis
- BBC: the algorithm switch-off and its precedent elsewhere. Anadolu: the bill's wider safety duties, penalties and Minister Wells' statement.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither reports reaction from technology companies, opposition parties or critics.
- For example
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“What if you could turn off your algorithm? Australia is about to try” — BBC News
“Proposed law to give users greater control over feeds, impose safety obligations on tech companies and introduce fines of up to $75M” — Anadolu Agency
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Legislation was tabled in Australia's parliament to let users switch off recommendation algorithms.
Australia place
Through Communications Minister Anika Wells, the government presents the bill as the next step in its online safety laws, setting basic safety standards for digital services.
“It will set basic safety standards for the digital services we use every day, just as we have for food, cars and kids’ toys,” — Anadolu Agency
UK and Ireland1 outlet
The BBC presents the bill as an attempt other countries have also made, via a Sydney correspondent.
“but it's not the first country to try” — BBC News
BBC News
Middle East1 outlet
Anadolu details the bill's provisions and penalties, quoting the minister.
“Australia introduced legislation Thursday requiring social media platforms to let users switch off algorithm-driven recommendations” — Anadolu Agency
Anadolu Agency
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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What if you could turn off your algorithm? Australia is about to try
Neutral Short video explainer from Sydney posing the switch-off as an experiment and noting other countries have tried similar.
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Australia introduces digital safety bill allowing users to switch off social media algorithms
Neutral Wire-style factual report of the bill's provisions, penalties and Minister Wells' quote, without outside reaction.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 14 Oct 19:00 First BBC NewsN What if you could turn off your algorithm? Australia is about to try
- 15 Oct 10:18 +15h 17m Anadolu AgencyN Australia introduces digital safety bill allowing users to switch off social media algorithms
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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