Australia's internet restrictions could go even further, with Google warning of Gmail bans for under-18s

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A hot potato: Young people in Australia could soon face another restriction in the name of keeping them safe. Google has warned that the country's proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation could force it to block under-18s from Gmail. Having already banned under-16s from social media, Australia's push to make the internet safer for children could now affect something as ordinary as checking their email.

According to Reuters, YouTube's Australia and New Zealand policy head Rachel Lord raised the concern at a Senate hearing on November 9. She said provisions requiring age checks where children risk encountering pornography could affect email, messaging, and private file storage.

"We are talking about potentially intrusive monitoring within private communications or file storage," Lord said.

The bill has passed the House of Representatives but still needs...

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