Stories
Australia Proposes Bill Giving Users Control Over Social Media Feeds
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Storyboard•16-10-2026, 09:35
Australia Proposes Bill Giving Users Control Over Social Media Feeds
- •Communications Minister Anika Wells introduced the Online Safety Amendment Bill 2026 in the House of Representatives.
- •The My Feed, My Way initiative lets Australians aged 16 and above choose non-algorithmic feeds from accounts they follow.
- •Companies failing to comply with new safety standards could face penalties of up to A$109.2 million.
- •The legislation expands the powers of the eSafety Commissioner to restrict access to websites generating fake nude images.
- •The bill requires parliamentary approval and must pass the Senate before becoming law.
Key Questions Answered
Companies that fail to comply with the proposed digital duty of care framework could face severe penalties of up to A$109.2 million.
Under the 'My Feed, My Way' initiative, Australians aged 16 and above will be given the choice to opt out of algorithmically recommended content and view posts exclusively from accounts they follow.
The bill expands the eSafety Commissioner's powers by allowing the regulator to restrict access to apps and websites primarily designed or used to generate fake nude images, while strengthening protections against cyberbullying.
