Google warns that Australia's new internet safety law could restrict children and youth under 18 from accessing Gmail services, including messaging and personal file storage.
On 9 Nov 2023 GMT+7, Google warned that Australia's Digital Duty of Care internet safety bill might compel the company to block Gmail access for users under 18, reflecting tech industry concerns that the law may impose overly broad online content controls.
The bill has been approved by Australia's House of Representatives but still requires support from multiple parties in the Senate to become law. It mandates that internet service providers demonstrate measures to manage harmful content; failure to comply could result in fines up to AUD 109 million (approximately USD 75.1 million).
Rachel Lord, YouTube's Head of Policy for Australia and New Zealand, told the Senate committee that a provision requiring age verification when there is a risk of children accessing pornographic content might force companies to strictly verify users' ages and block access to general communication services like messaging, email, and private file storage.
She also expressed concern that such measures could lead to monitoring of users' private communications or file storage, potentially infringing on privacy.
Meanwhile, representatives from Meta, TikTok, and Snap voiced similar concerns, warning that the bill could impact online communication by granting regulators broad discretion to determine what content or behavior is harmful, potentially replacing some existing industry standards.
Several company representatives also noted that the law's vague requirements might cause platforms to adopt excessively strict content controls to avoid the risk of hefty fines.
However, the Australian government insists that broad regulations are the only way to ensure internet user safety. The Senate committee's inquiry is ongoing.
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