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Australia moves to let users switch off social media algorithms

The bill would require large tech platforms to give users a switch for recommended content, and Australia's parliament is taking it up today; your feed may get boring.

On air: Hank Ledger, Dr. Nina Byte and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 2:18 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Photo: Reto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Tech

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Dr. Nina Byte and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 2:18 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are BBC's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Reto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Australia — Photo: Reto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “What if you could turn off your algorithm? Australia is about to try”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 2:18 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Dr. Nina Byte and Dale Bearman.
Topics: Australia.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

BBCWhat if you could turn off your algorithm? Australia is about to try

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorOkay, the one we teased: Australia's parliament is being handed legislation today that would force big tech to let users switch off the algorithms that feed them recommended content.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIn practice that means your feed could go back to showing only people you actually follow, in order, instead of whatever the app has decided will keep your thumb moving.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSwitch it off? The algorithm knows what I want before I do, and it will not take this well.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt's software, Dale. It doesn't have feelings, it has a recommendation queue.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWithout it, I'd have to find my own videos of men restoring rusty knives.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorRusty knives?
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGloria, you're up, and I assume you've been banned from at least one feed.

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