Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 11 hrs ago
Google warns Australian safety bill could block under-18s from Gmail
Google says a proposed Australian law could block under-18s from Gmail if it requires age checks.
The Digital Duty of Care bill has passed the House of Representatives, but still needs cross-party support to pass the Senate.
It would require internet companies to take steps to remove harmful content or face fines of up to A$109 million.
Google says a provision on children’s access to pornography could lead to age checks for email, messaging and private file storage.
Meta, TikTok and Snap also warned the rules could restrict online communication and lead platforms to remove too much content to avoid penalties.
The government says broad rules are needed to make the internet safer.
A Senate hearing on the bill is continuing, and the Senate vote is still to come.
Google warned that Australia’s proposed internet safety law could force it to block under-18s from Gmail and other everyday services.
The Digital Duty of Care Bill has passed the House of Representatives but still needs cross-party support in the Senate.
The bill would require internet companies to take steps to remove harmful content or face fines of up to A$109 million.
Google and other platforms say the rules could lead to intrusive age checks and excessive content moderation.
The government says broad rules are needed to ensure a safe internet.
- Who
- Google, represented by policy head Rachel Lord, raised the warning. Meta, TikTok and Snap also voiced concerns.
- What
- Google said the proposed law could require age checks and block under-18s from services including Gmail.
- When
- November 9, 2026.
- Where
- At a Senate hearing in Australia.
- Why
- The bill’s age-check requirements could apply when there is a risk a child may see pornography, potentially affecting everyday communication and file-storage services.
Australian government
Online companies and free speech advocates
Purpose of the bill
Australian government
The government says broad rules are needed to ensure a safe internet.
Online companies and free speech advocates
Companies and advocates say regulators could have too much discretion to decide what is harmful.
Impact on services
Australian government
Not stated.
Online companies and free speech advocates
Google warns age checks could lead to blocking under-18s from everyday services such as email and messaging.
Content moderation
Australian government
Not stated.
Online companies and free speech advocates
Platforms say uncertainty and large potential penalties could lead them to over-moderate content.
The Digital Duty of Care Bill passed Australia’s House of Representatives and required Senate support to become law.
Rachel Lord raised Google’s concerns at a Senate hearing, where representatives from Meta, TikTok and Snap also voiced concerns.
The Senate hearing was continuing.
- Proposed law
- Digital Duty of Care legislation
- Potential maximum fine
- A$109 million
- Senate hearing
- November 9, 2026
- Google representative
- Rachel Lord, head of policy in Australia and New Zealand
- Potentially affected services
- Messaging, email and private file storage
What people are saying
could require us to age assure and block access to everyday communication services like messaging, e-mail and private file storage
We are talking about potentially intrusive monitoring within private communications or file storage