Australia is moving to tighten its grip on large technology firms by introducing a new legislative push aimed at giving social media users greater control over their online content.

The proposed law, unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government, seeks to mandate an "opt-out" feature for algorithmic feeds, allowing users aged 16 and above to choose a simpler timeline that shows only posts from accounts they follow.

This regulatory strike comes on the heels of a massive $18 billion settlement involving Meta, marking yet another chapter in the escalating global scrutiny of major tech platforms.

A newly released reform package, dubbed "My Feed, My Way," would require social media companies to present users with a clear choice: enable the algorithm for personalized recommendations or disable it to view content strictly from followed friends and creators.

The draft legislation, opened for public consultation on Tuesday, also mandates that platforms notify both new and existing users to set their preferred default feed. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to A$109.2 million, equivalent to approximately US$79 million.

Scheduled for parliamentary review this year, the bill also includes measures targeting AI chatbots, online games, and other digital services, compelling them to adopt safeguards that protect minors under 18 from addictive design patterns.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Albanese framed the initiative as a shift in power dynamics. "This isn't about handing authority to the government; it's about returning control to the people and placing the digital decision-making in the hands of Australians," he stated.

He further noted that the reforms are "sensible, pragmatic, and achievable," aiming to empower users while holding major tech corporations accountable for inaction.

Several platforms already offer features that separate friend content from recommended posts. For instance, TikTok includes a "Friends" tab, while its primary feed leans heavily on algorithmic suggestions. Facebook provides an option for a friends-only feed, and Instagram offers "Following" and "Favorites" streams. YouTube has a dedicated subscriptions section, and Snapchat distinguishes between friend stories and public discovery content.

Last year, Australia became the first nation globally to ban social media for those under 16. Other countries, including the UK, are contemplating similar restrictions for minors, although the ban has received mixed reviews.

Albanese has hailed the policy as "world-leading," yet a report from Australia's eSafety Commissioner indicates that over 81% of children still access at least one age-restricted platform three months after the ban, a marginal drop from the 86% usage rate recorded before implementation.

The same report found that 58% of teenagers continue to engage with social media daily or more frequently, compared to roughly 60% prior to the restriction.

In the broader context of worldwide regulatory efforts, legal actions against social media companies have surged this year. In August, Meta reached a settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general led by California, which accused the company of concealing the harms its platforms posed to young people on Instagram and Facebook.

As part of that agreement, Meta agreed to introduce several changes for users under 18 within months, including options for non-algorithmic feeds, daily usage limits of two hours, and the removal of filters promoting extreme beauty standards.

Earlier in the year, Meta and YouTube faced litigation in Los Angeles over features like autoplay and infinite scroll, which plaintiffs claimed contributed to mental health deterioration. Additionally, in March, Meta suffered a legal defeat in a separate case, with a court in New Mexico ordering the company to pay over $900 million in penalties for breaching child safety laws.