Google warns Australian online safety bill could block under-18s from Gmail

Google has warned that Australia's proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation could force it to restrict access to Gmail and other everyday services for users under 18.

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Australia's push to make the internet safer for children is raising new questions about how far online platforms should go to monitor content and verify users' ages. While existing restrictions largely target social media, proposed legislation could have consequences for services used for everyday communication, including email and private cloud storage.

Google has warned that Australia's proposed Digital Duty of Care law could force it to block people under 18 from accessing Gmail, messaging services and private file storage if the company is required to enforce age-based restrictions across those products.

The warning came during a Senate hearing on November 9, as lawmakers examined legislation that would require online companies to take reasonable steps to protect users from harmful content and conduct.

The bill, introduced on October 15, passed Australia's House of Representatives on October 28 but still requires Senate approval.

Why Google Is Concerned About the Bill

The legislation would introduce broader responsibilities for online service providers, requiring them to address risks associated with harmful or illegal material.

A provision concerning children's potential exposure to pornography has attracted particular concern from Google.

Rachel Lord, YouTube's head of policy for Australia and New Zealand, told the Senate hearing that the requirements:

"could require us to age-verify and block access to everyday communication services like messaging, email and private file storage."

According to Reuters, Lord also raised concerns that compliance could involve intrusive monitoring of private communications and stored files.

Google's argument is that broadly written safety obligations may extend beyond public-facing platforms into services where users reasonably expect greater privacy.

The company has not announced plans to block teenagers from Gmail. Its warning describes a possible consequence of the proposed legislation, depending on how the rules are interpreted and enforced.

What Australia's Digital Duty of Care Would Require

Under the proposed framework, online service providers would have to demonstrate that they are taking reasonable steps to protect users.

According to the Australian government's official description, the legislation would establish minimum safety standards for digital services.

The protections would cover seriously harmful and illegal material affecting users generally, alongside additional safeguards against content, conduct and platform features considered harmful to people under 18.

The proposal also includes measures intended to give users more control over their online experiences, including the ability to choose whether algorithmically recommended content appears in their feeds.

Other provisions would strengthen the powers of Australia's eSafety Commissioner, including removal notices targeting apps and websites that generate non-consensual intimate images, faster responses to cyberbullying complaints, and minimum standards for handling user complaints.

Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to A$109.2 million, approximately $75 million.

The government maintains that broad protections are needed to address online harms across an increasingly interconnected digital environment.

Tech Companies Raise Concerns Over Privacy and Moderation

Google is not alone in questioning the proposed legislation.

Representatives from Meta, TikTok and Snap also expressed concerns during the Senate hearing, according to Reuters.

Their objections focused on the discretion regulators could have in determining what constitutes harmful content or conduct.

The companies warned that uncertainty about compliance could encourage platforms to remove more content than necessary to avoid substantial penalties.

Such an approach could affect legitimate online communication, particularly where companies face difficulty distinguishing harmful material from lawful discussions.

The dispute highlights a challenge for digital regulation: requirements designed to reduce exposure to harmful content may also affect privacy and access to legitimate services if their scope is not clearly defined.

How the Proposal Differs From Australia's Social Media Restrictions

Australia already has separate age restrictions for social media.

Since December 10, 2025, designated platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, have been required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from holding accounts.

However, the existing framework excludes services primarily intended for messaging, email and certain other purposes, including education.

The proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation is different. It introduces broader online safety obligations, including specific protections for users under 18.

That distinction explains Google's warning: services outside the existing social media age restrictions could potentially face new compliance obligations.

What Happens Next?

The legislation remains under Senate consideration, and its final requirements could change.

For Google and other technology companies, the central questions concern how age checks would be implemented, what information providers would need to examine and whether access restrictions would be necessary to demonstrate compliance.

For regulators, the challenge is ensuring that online services address risks to children without unnecessarily restricting legitimate communication or compromising user privacy.

The outcome could help shape how Australia applies child safety obligations across digital services beyond social media, particularly those involving private communications and personal data.