Bringing internet feeds to heel is not suppressing free speech

September 7, 2026 — 4:20pm

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The Albanese government’s proposed digital duty of care reforms aim to give Australians the right to use social media feeds free of algorithms, and to force platforms to stop harm before it occurs rather than respond to individual complaints about content. But the reforms are now running a gauntlet of spurious claims that the legislation will suppress freedom of speech.

Social media companies will have to give users a choice to turn off their algorithm through pop-up messages. The government is also considering a Greens demand requiring internet users to opt in to algorithms to secure the legislation’s passage.

The onus will be put on social media companies to identify and mitigate risks on their platforms and prevent the........

© The Sydney Morning Herald