Google says new Australian internet safety bill could cut off under-18s from Gmail

Google has warned that proposed Australian internet safety legislation could lead it to block under-18s from Gmail and other everyday services. The warning highlights concerns from technology companies and free speech advocates that the bill could reach beyond harmful online content and affect private communications.

The Digital Duty of Care bill has passed the House of Representatives and needs cross-party support in the Senate. It would require internet companies to address harmful content or face fines of up to A$109 million (US$75.1 million); Google says age checks linked to pornography risks could require intrusive monitoring of email and file storage. Meta, TikTok and Snap also warned that uncertainty over what counts as harmful could prompt platforms to remove too much content, while the government says broad rules are needed for a safer internet.