Google’s parent company has issued a warning that it may need to scan personal data across its platforms, including Gmail and Google Drive, to comply with new digital duty of care laws proposed by the Albanese government. The laws, which passed the lower house on October 29, aim to prevent minors from accessing harmful content such as pornography, eating disorder material, and extreme violence.
The proposed regulations impose strict rules on digital platforms, with penalties exceeding $100 million for non-compliance. Google’s warning highlights the potential need for extensive data scraping to enforce these measures, raising concerns about privacy and data security.
The Albanese government introduced the laws last month, emphasizing the protection of young users from harmful online content. The legislation reflects a broader push for digital safety, targeting platforms that host or share such material.