Australia will allow social media account holders to opt out of the powerful algorithms pushing dangerous and divisive content into users’ feeds, part of new laws designed to boost online safety.
Users over 16 years of age will be given new tools to turn off algorithm-driven content, with platforms facing fines of more than A$100m for non-compliance.
Under the plan – dubbed “my feed, my way” – users opting out of the algorithm will see content only from individuals and groups they have actively chosen to follow.
Engagement algorithms should be opt-in, if they have to exist at all, but this is a good step in the right direction.
I look forward to this law being weak as shit after it goes through the both houses and the barrier to the fine being stupidly high and any actual fines issued will be appealed to pocket change. Oh wait, 100m is pocket change them when they are making billions a quarter.
