Australia social media algorithm regulation 2026
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Meta faces Australian lawsuit over alleged social media harm to children
Meta, Facebook, and Instagram are facing a class action lawsuit in Australia over allegations that addictive design features are harming children and teenagers.
Meta agreed in August to pay $18bn to settle with nearly all US states to resolve claims that it designed social media to addict children.
The lawsuit was filed by MinterEllison in the Australian Federal Court.
Australia proposes off switch for toxic algorithms
Breaches of the Digital Duty of Care law could attract fines of up to A$100m.
The Australian government announced a version of Chanel Contos's proposal in September, forcing big tech to introduce an algorithm switch but stopping short of requiring it be automatically set to off.
The Trump administration has said the reforms threaten free speech.
Australia plans algorithm toggle option for users
Australia is not the first country to try forcing big tech to allow users to switch off algorithms.
New legislation is being tabled in Australia's parliament on Thursday to force big tech to allow users to switch off algorithms which send them recommended content.
Australia finds significant child safety gaps on Steam and Roblox platforms
Valve did not proactively use tools to detect child sexual exploitation or violent material in chats, with its current systems mainly flagging scams.
Roblox and Valve were noted in the report for using only internal datasets to train language detection systems and for not regularly retraining these models.
The report was based on information collected by Australia's eSafety Commission on how the platforms were protecting users from serious online harm between October 2025 and March 2026.
Australia summons OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs to AI inquiry
Australia has sent written requests for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to appear before a Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the Medicare incursion.
An OpenAI-developed agent accessed public and nonpublic data on the Australian government's Medicare portal in June.
Australia seeks big tech support for internet safety and AI regulation
The Coalition says the bill contains inadequate safeguards for free speech and journalism and leaves too much power in the hands of the Communications Minister.
Albanese is in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly.
The draft laws will be introduced to parliament later this year after consultation with social media companies, industry bodies and civil society groups.
“contains inadequate safeguards for free speech and journalism, and leaves too much power in the hands of the Communications Minister”
Australia on collision course with US big tech — opinion analysis
Kush Desai said President Trump has warned trading partners against imposing digital services taxes, fines, and other forms of extortion on America's leading technology sector.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the Trump administration would raise its concerns with trading partners.
Opposition communications spokesperson Sarah Henderson said the relevant minister would be armed with unfettered powers to make regulations defining serious harm for adults or harm concerning children.
“President Trump has unequivocally warned trading partners against imposing digital services taxes, fines, and other forms of extortion on America’s leading technology sector”
Australia to let social media users opt out of algorithm-based feeds
Meta settled for $18 billion in a social media trial in August brought by a coalition of U.S. states led by California.
As part of the settlement, Meta agreed to make changes for users under 18 including the ability to choose a non-algorithmic feed, a two-hour daily usage limit, and disabling extreme makeup and cosmetic surgery filters.
Last year, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for teens under the age of 16.
Australia proposes 'opt out' law letting users switch off social media algorithms
The draft legislation is expected to put an onus on platforms to stop harmful content such as illegal pornography and videos promoting disordered eating from being shared.
Consent advocate Chanel Contos called on the government to seek an opt-in for algorithmic social media feeds in a speech at Australia's National Press Club.
Anika Wells said the government will be taking expert advice on whether users would have to opt in or out of algorithmic feeds.