Opting out of social media algorithms: what Aussies really think

The Senior asked Sydneysiders what they think of the federal government's proposal to allow Aussies to opt out of social media algorithms.

Transcript

00:00So the government wants to allow people to opt out of these algorithms, what do you think of that?

00:04Great idea. Fabulous. Long overdue. Can't wait.

00:08Australians could soon opt out of social media algorithms.

00:12A federal government proposal would request social media platforms ask Aussies through prompts

00:19whether they want to keep a recommended algorithm-driven feed

00:23or instead mostly see the accounts they have chosen to follow.

00:28What do you know about social media algorithms?

00:31I'm scared of them.

00:33Why are you scared of them?

00:35Well, they know too much about me because we can sit down and talk about something

00:40and 30 seconds later we get an ad.

00:42The fact that you look on one thing and then for the next 15 minutes

00:45your algorithm takes you down that rabbit hole.

00:47Look, Instagram, Facebook used to be for what your friends and your family

00:52and the algorithms are just pushing advertisements every second host to you.

00:57When there's an election you just get bombarded out of the blue

01:01and you think, how on earth did they ever get my details?

01:07The way they even look on theids are you?

01:07The way they get my details?

01:10Allisononte protesting

01:11The way they look on the f-