Australia defends plan for social media algorithm opt-out after US pushback

Legislative proposal

On 8 September 2026, the Australian government presented draft legislation titled the Digital Duty of Care, also dubbed "My Feed, My Way." The measure requires digital platforms to provide users aged 16 and older with a notification allowing them to switch off algorithmic recommendation feeds. Users who opt out will see chronological feeds showing only posts from friends, followed creators, and direct online connections. The draft rules also extend duty of care obligations to online games, apps, and artificial intelligence chatbots. Australia's online safety regulator, eSafety, will oversee compliance with the legislation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlined the rationale during the policy presentation.

This is sensible, pragmatic, practical reform. It gives users choice and it will hold the big tech companies responsible for inaction if they don't follow our laws.

Content protections and financial penalties

Under the proposed framework, platforms must protect young users from material promoting eating disorders, misogyny, pornography, violence, abuse, and cyberbullying. Adult and teenage users must also be shielded from illegal content and platform design features considered addictive. Companies that fail to comply with the proposed notification and safety obligations face fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars (approximately 79 million US dollars). The government plans to consult with industry groups and platform operators before introducing the bill to parliament later in 2026. Domestic lobby group Digi, representing Meta, Google, and TikTok, stated that legal definitions of harmful content and user experience impacts will be central to consultations, while OpenAI confirmed plans to engage with officials.

White House response and diplomatic tensions

Less than 24 hours after Canberra unveiled the plan, the administration of US President Donald Trump issued a statement warning trading partners against penalizing American technology firms. White House spokesperson Kush Desai reiterated the administration's stance on digital regulatory measures.

President Trump has unequivocally warned trading partners against imposing digital services taxes, fines, and other forms of extortion on America's leading technology sector.

Desai stated that Washington remains committed to raising digital market regulations directly with foreign trade partners. Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells responded on 9 September 2026, stating that her office had not received formal contact from US officials. Wells rejected descriptions of the regulatory fines as extortion and affirmed Australia's jurisdiction over national online safety standards.

We're a sovereign nation. We have the right to defend Australian parents and kids and we'll do that.

Domestic political debate

The proposal has generated divergent reactions across Australia's political spectrum. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on the government to strengthen the bill by making chronological feeds the default setting rather than requiring an opt-out. Hanson-Young also argued on ABC radio that fines should be pegged to companies' global annual revenue to prevent tech firms from absorbing penalties as a cost of business. Conversely, opposition figures, including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, criticized the initiative as government censorship, comparing the algorithmic oversight to Chinese state controls. The new bill follows Australia's December 2025 legislation that banned social media access for children under the age of 16.