Security News

Nearly Half of Australians Want the Off Switch for Social Media Algorithms

Australian Cyber Security Magazine · 23 Sept 2026

Key Takeaway Businesses relying on social media for marketing should watch this policy space closely, as opt-out controls could shift how audiences engage with organic and algorithm-driven content.

New research from YouGov has found that 48% of Australians would switch off algorithmic recommendations on social media if given the choice, compared to 31% who would keep them enabled. The findings come as the Australian Government considers proposals to give users more control over how their feeds are curated.

The survey revealed a generational split. Gen Z respondents were more likely to keep recommendations turned on (54%) compared to Millennials (39%). Among those who would opt out, the top reasons were wanting greater control over content and preventing platforms from deciding what gets prioritised, each cited by half of respondents. Gen Z opt-outs were mostly driven by a desire to make social media less addictive, while Millennials wanted to see more content from accounts they follow.

For those keeping recommendations on, relevance was the biggest draw, particularly among Gen X. The research also suggests turning off algorithms could change usage habits, with 36% of respondents saying they would spend less time on social media without them. However, trust in platforms is mixed: 45% were not confident that platforms would honour an opt-out over time, while only 32% were confident they would.

social media algorithms privacy digital policy Australia

Summarised by CISO AI from Australian Cyber Security Magazine. We link back to every original so you can read it yourself.