Toxic algorithms wouldn’t let them go – now Australia wants an off switch

Australia has introduced proposed laws that would let social media users switch off algorithmic recommendations and see posts only from accounts they follow. The government says the change could protect people from harmful content, while critics question whether the measures are workable and warn they could affect free speech.

Varsha Yajman says recommendation feeds repeatedly showed her weight-loss and eating-disorder content, even after she used safety settings. Flynn Martin describes being drawn into misogynistic influencer content during a period of poor mental health; he later experienced psychosis and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The reforms would also impose a legal duty of care on online services, while technology companies argue their existing safety tools are effective.