Australia proposes law requiring social media platforms to offer algorithm opt-out
The Australian government announced draft legislation on September 7-8, 2026, that would require social media platforms to give users the choice to opt out of algorithmically recommended content and see only posts from accounts they follow. The "My Feed, My Way" initiative, part of a broader Digital Duty of Care bill, would impose penalties of up to approximately A$100-109 million for non-compliance. The bill follows Australia's world-first ban on social media accounts for children under 16.
17
Divergence score
11 outlets covered it, splitting into 10 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
10 camps
4 bias groups
Market signalBETA
The spectrum · how 11 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
The Guardian
Jerusalem Post
AP News
NPR
Al Jazeera
Deutsche Welle
South China Morning Post
BBC
Financial Times
Bloomberg
Reuters
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
The Guardian
Social media users could opt out of the algorithm if Australian government has its way – but that's a big if
skeptical of tech compliance · neutral
BBC
'Good to have choice': Australians on opting out of social media algorithms
public reaction to algorithm choice · positive
First to report
- Al Jazeerafirst
- South China Morning Post+1.9 h
- Reuters+14.4 h
- Bloomberg+26.4 h
- BBC+27.7 h
- The Guardian+27.8 h
- Financial Times+27.9 h
- Jerusalem Post+29.9 h
- Deutsche Welle+30.5 h
- NPR+34.8 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Wire coverage frames the move as user empowerment and online safety; The Guardian warns of big tech mucking around on compliance; Al Jazeera highlights opposition fears of censorship; Bloomberg casts it as a new Big Tech fight.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
THE LEFT
“Social media users could opt out of the algorithm if Australian government has its way – but that's a big if”G The Guardian LEFT
17LOW DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“Australia proposes opt-out law for social media algorithms - Financial Times”FT Financial Times RIGHT-CENTER
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“'Good to have choice': Australians on opting out of social media algorithms” · Jerusalem Post, AP News, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, South China Morning Post, BBC, Bloomberg, Reuters
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 11 outlets put it
LEFT2
GThe Guardian Social media users could opt out of the algorithm if Australian government has its way – but that's a big if 4d ago NPRNPR Australian social media users to be offered choice to opt out of algorithms 4d ago CENTER3
APAP News Australian social media users to be offered choice to opt out of algorithms BLBloomberg Australia Sets Up New Big Tech Fight With Bid to Block Targeting 4d ago RReuters Australia targets social media algorithms with new user-choice rules 5d ago RIGHT-CENTER1
FTFinancial Times Australia proposes opt-out law for social media algorithms - Financial Times 4d ago INTERNATIONAL5
JPJerusalem Post Australia seeks to curb social media algorithms with new feed choice law 4d ago AJAl Jazeera Australia's proposed 'opt out' law targets Big Tech algorithms 5d ago DWDeutsche Welle Australia targets big tech with algorithm opt-out bill 4d ago SCSouth China Morning Post Australians could opt out of social media algorithms under proposed law 5d ago BBCBBC 'Good to have choice': Australians on opting out of social media algorithms 4d ago 7 tracked claims across 11 outlets
Fact ledger
All7Claimed3Corroborated4
3/11
Claimed
The bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament in 2026
Corroborated
Disputed
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