Google稱澳洲新網路安全法案恐使未滿18歲者無法使用Gmail

雪梨，11月9日（路透社）——Google一名駐澳洲的公司政策主管週一表示，澳洲一項擬議中的網路法律可能迫使Google阻擋未滿18歲者使用其Gmail服務，凸顯業界對這項監管草案可能過度擴張的警告。SYDNEY, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A proposed Australian internet law could force Google to block under-18s from using its Gmail service, an Australia-based company policy head said on Monday, underscoring an industry warning that the draft regulation risks overreach.

根據《數位注意義務》（Digital Duty of Care）法案，網路公司必須證明正在採取措施排除有害內容，否則將面臨最高1.09億澳元（7510萬美元）罰款。該法案已在澳洲眾議院通過，但仍需跨黨派支持才能在參議院過關。Under the Digital Duty of Care legislation, which has already passed Australia's House of Representatives but needs cross-party support to pass the Senate, internet companies must show they are taking steps to weed out harmful content or face a fine of up to A$109 million ($75.1 million).

網路公司和言論自由倡議人士表示，這項法律可能讓監管機關在判定何謂有害內容時擁有過大裁量權，進而對平台形成下架內容的壓力。Google的警告反映出外界擔心，這項法律可能影響網路日常使用的各個層面。Online companies and free speech advocates say the law could give regulators too much discretion to decide what is harmful, placing pressure on platforms to take down content. Google's warning reflects concern that the law could filter into everyday parts of the internet.

Google旗下YouTube串流網站澳洲與紐西蘭政策主管瑞秋・洛德（Rachel Lord）在參議院聽證會上表示，該法其中一項條文規定，若存在兒童看到色情內容的風險，就必須進行年齡查核，這「可能要求我們進行年齡確認，並阻擋使用者存取訊息、電子郵件和私人檔案儲存等日常通訊服務」。A section of the law requiring age checks if there was a risk of a child seeing pornography "could require us to age assure and block access to everyday communication services like messaging, email and private file storage", said Rachel Lord, head of policy in Australia and New Zealand for Google's YouTube streaming website, at a Senate hearing.

她補充說：「我們談的可能是在私人通訊或檔案儲存中進行侵入式監控。」"We are talking about potentially intrusive monitoring within private communications or file storage," she added.

Meta、TikTok和Snap的代表也表達類似疑慮，警告這項法案將以部分取代現行強制性產業規範的方式，賦予監管機關廣泛裁量權來判定哪些內容或行為有害，可能對網路通訊造成寒蟬效應。Representatives from Meta, TikTok and Snap voiced similar concerns, warning the bill could chill online communications by allowing regulators broad discretion to determine what content or conduct is harmful while replacing some existing mandatory industry codes.

多名代表主張，這種不確定性帶來風險，平台可能為避免高額監管罰款而過度審查內容。Several argued the uncertainty created a risk platforms would over-moderate content to avoid large regulatory penalties.

政府表示，廣泛的一套規則是確保網路安全的唯一方式。The government has said a broad set of rules is the only way to ensure a safe internet.

聽證會仍在進行。The hearing continues.

（1美元 = 1.4520澳元）($1 = 1.4520 Australian dollars)

（Byron Kaye報導；Stephen Coates編輯）(Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Stephen Coates)