The Zhitong Finance App learned that Google (GOOGL.US) said on Monday that a proposed Australian internet law could force the company to ban users under 18 from using its Gmail email service. The warning comes from a policy chief at Google based in Australia, and it also highlights the industry's concerns that this draft regulation may be too lenient.
Under the Digital Duty of Care Act (Digital Duty of Care), internet businesses must show that they are taking steps to remove harmful content, or face fines of up to $109 million ($75.1 million). The bill has been passed by the Australian House of Representatives, but it still needs cross-party support to pass the Senate.
Internet companies and freedom of speech advocates say the law may give regulators too much discretion in defining what is “harmful content,” thereby putting pressure on platforms to remove content. Google's warning reflects a fear that the effects of this law could infiltrate everyday parts of the internet.
A section of the Act stipulates that if there is a risk that children will see pornographic content, relevant services must carry out age verification. Rachel Lord (Rachel Lord), head of Australian and New Zealand policy at Google's video streaming site YouTube, said at a Senate hearing that this provision “may require us to verify our age and block access (for minors) to everyday communication services such as instant messaging, email, and private file storage.”
“We're talking about potentially intrusive surveillance of private communications or internal file storage,” she added.
Representatives of Meta, TikTok, and Snap also expressed similar concerns, warning that the law would replace some of the current mandatory industry guidelines and allow regulators broad discretion in determining what content or conduct is harmful, which could chill online exchanges.
Several delegates also suggested that this uncertainty poses the risk of the platform excessively reviewing content to avoid huge regulatory fines.
The Australian Government, on the other hand, said that a broad set of rules is the only way to ensure internet security.