Google warns Australian bill could affect Gmail access

Google warned Australian senators that a proposed internet safety law could lead to age checks and potentially block people under 18 from Gmail and other everyday communication services, though the bill does not explicitly require platforms to bar minors from entire services.

Rachel Lord, Google’s head of policy for Australia and New Zealand, told a Senate hearing that an age-assurance provision could apply when children might encounter pornography. She said it could require age verification and block access to messaging, email and private file storage. Lord also warned of potentially intrusive monitoring within private communications or file storage.

The Digital Duty of Care bill has passed the House of Representatives and needs Senate support to become law. It would require internet companies to take steps to prevent online harm, with penalties of up to A$109 million for covered violations. The proposed legislation remains under consideration, and the hearing was continuing on November 9.

The provision at issue concerns online services where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk that children could encounter pornography or fetish material. Under the bill, companies would have...