Australia proposes algorithm off switch for social media

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Australia has introduced legislation that would require social media platforms to offer users an option to disable algorithmic recommendations, allowing them to see only posts from accounts they actively follow. This proposal represents one of the most ambitious regulatory attempts to address how algorithms shape online behavior, though similar controls exist elsewhere and often come with functionality trade-offs. The government frames the reform as part of a broader effort to impose a duty of care on tech companies, aiming to improve users' mental health and wellbeing in response to documented harms.