Australians will be able to switch off social media algorithms under planned legislation

Australians would be able to switch off social media algorithms under draft legislation to be proposed this week.

Communications Minister Anika Wells, who last year helmed the government's world-first social media ban for under-16s, said the digital duty of care laws would ensure "some basic safety protections on an industry that hasn't had to observe it".

If tech firms such as Meta, Google and TikTok did not give the option to turn off algorithms, they should face "substantial" penalties, she said.

Some members of the opposition have criticised the proposal, with Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor saying he was "highly sceptical" and arguing the move could amount to censorship.

The government will be taking "expert advice" on whether users would have to opt in or out of the algorithms feeding them content online, Wells said.

This means that, as with its social media ban , the government is looking to bring in legislation before fully hammering out the specifics of how it would work.

"We want to give Australians more choice over what they see on their social media feeds," Wells told the ABC on Monday.

"We know that a lot of Australians appreciate the algorithm both for the enjoyment they get out of it or the utility that they get out of it, seeing local businesses in their suburb.