Tech
Australia Plans to Let You Turn Off Social Media Algorithms
New rules in Australia could soon let you choose if your social media feed is controlled by a computer or just shown in chronological order.
A person looking at a smartphone screen showing social media app icons.
By John Doe
Reporting from Australia 
Sept. 9, 2026, 8:51 a.m. - 32 minutes ago
The Australian government is working on a new law. It would give social media users the power to turn off their content algorithms.
Right now, websites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok use 'algorithms.' These are complex computer programs that decide exactly what you see on your screen. They track what you click on or watch, and then they feed you more of that same stuff to keep you using the app longer. Sometimes, this can keep you in a bubble or show you things that make you angry.
Under this new proposal, users would have the choice to stop these programs from picking their feed. Instead, the apps might just show you posts in the order they were made, or give you a more neutral experience.
This is a big move that has caught international attention. Even people in the incoming Trump administration are planning to talk with Australian officials about this plan. They are concerned about how these rules might affect tech companies.
If the law passes, it would be a major change for how we spend our time online. It aims to give people back control over what they see, rather than letting a computer program make those choices for them.
Source: NPR
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