Google (GOOGL.US) warns that new Australian cybersecurity regulations may cut off minors' access to Gmail

According to reports from Zhitong Finance APP, Google (GOOGL.US) stated on Monday that a proposed internet law in Australia could force the company to ban users under the age of 18 from using its Gmail email service. This warning, issued by a Google policy head based in Australia, also highlights the industry's concerns that the regulatory draft may be too broad in scope.

Under the Digital Duty of Care Act, internet companies must demonstrate that they are taking measures to remove harmful content, or else face fines of up to 109 million Australian dollars (approximately 75.1 million US dollars). The act has already been approved by the Australian House of Representatives but still requires cross-party support to pass the Senate.

Internet companies and freedom of speech advocates argue that the law could give regulators too much discretion in defining what constitutes “harmful content,” thereby putting pressure on platforms to remove content. Google’s warning reflects this concern: that the law’s effects could permeate the everyday aspects of the internet.

The bill contains a section stipulating that if there is a risk of children seeing pornographic content, relevant services must implement age verification. Rachel Lord, Policy Lead for YouTube Australia and New Zealand (a subsidiary of Google), stated at a Senate hearing that this provision “may require us to implement age verification for everyday communication services such as instant messaging, email, and private file storage, and to block (minors) from accessing them.”

She added: “What we are talking about is the potential for intrusive monitoring of private communications or internal file storage.”

Representatives from Meta, TikTok, and Snap also expressed similar concerns, warning that the law would replace certain existing mandatory industry codes and grant regulators wide discretion in determining what content or behavior is harmful, which could have a chilling effect on online communication.

Several representatives also noted that this uncertainty creates a risk that platforms may excessively moderate content to avoid massive regulatory fines.

The Australian government stated that a broad set of rules is the only way to ensure internet safety.