The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is urging the government to reconsider its proposed “My Feed, My Way” reforms, which aim to enhance online safety and user control over social media experiences.
COSBOA’s CEO, Skye Cappuccio, expressed support for the initiative’s goals but emphasized the need to understand its potential impact on small businesses. Many small enterprises rely on social media and digital platforms as their primary means of attracting new customers, often lacking substantial marketing budgets or in-house digital teams.
Cappuccio highlighted that changes to algorithmic reach could significantly affect how small businesses are discovered by potential customers. She stressed the importance of comprehending the implications for visibility, customer acquisition, and revenue before finalizing the reforms.
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As COSBOA reviews the exposure draft and consults its members, Cappuccio called for genuine consultation with small businesses throughout the process, including during the development of detailed mechanisms. She advocated for thorough modeling of potential impacts, considering unintended consequences for visibility and business continuity.
The organization’s concerns also encompass the broader Digital Duty of Care. Cappuccio noted that small businesses frequently depend on digital platforms as their main point of contact with customers. She cautioned against excessive enforcement by platforms, which might lead to legitimate small businesses being incorrectly suspended, restricted, or de-ranked.