YouTube's AI Age Verification Sparks Privacy Concerns and User Backlash

YouTube backlash begins: "Why is AI combing through every single video I watch?

Tens of thousands of YouTubers are raging against YouTube's plan to use AI to detect underage users in the US. On Tuesday, a Change.org petition rapidly neared its 50,000-signature goal, with tens of thousands hoping that with enough users protesting, the wide rollout of the AI age checks might be stopped. They fear the age checks will make it harder to access content they love while staying anonymous on the platform YouTube's age verification system estimates user ages by interpreting a "variety of signals," YouTube's announcement said, including "the types of videos a user is searching for, the categories of videos they have watched, or the longevity of the account." If a user is estimated to be under 18, YouTube restricts the account by disabling personalized ads, turning on digital wellbeing tools to prevent young users from being bombarded with harmful content, and adding other safeguards, like limiting repetitive views of certain types of content. To lift these restrictions, YouTube requires users to share either a government ID, a credit card, or a selfie to authenticate their actual ages. Privacy experts previously told Ars that YouTube's AI age checks are concerning. YouTube does not specify how any of the data received from users incorrectly labeled as teens will be used or how long it will be stored. A YouTube spokesperson only told Ars that the company "does not retain data from" a user's "ID or Payment Card for the purposes of advertising." Users signing the Change.org petition shared privacy experts' concerns. They're concerned that an invasive system of perhaps questionable quality will deem their viewing habits immature, requiring them to hand over data that could be leaked or breached. Experts have noted that even the best age-estimation tech has about a two-year error window on each side, meaning YouTubers between 16 and 20 may be especially susceptible to incorrect age estimation. Among concerned users fighting to block AI age checks is the petition starter, an anonymous YouTuber who runs a monetized account exploring video game lore called "Gerfdas Gaming" (who, for simplicity's sake, we'll refer to as Gerfdas). Gerfdas told Ars that YouTube's appeal process "raises major privacy concerns," leaving YouTubers wondering, "where is this sensitive data stored, and how secure is it?" "If YouTube suffers a breach, people's names, IDs, and faces could end up in the wrong hands," Gerfdas suggested. Gerfdas also takes issue with the AI age verification system itself, noting that any monetized account already shares personal information with YouTube, but it's disturbing to think that the AI is scanning every user's viewing habits in the background just to catch some kids improperly using the platform. Several commenters on the petition noted that the AI age checks seemed to be created mainly to appease parents who struggle to police their own kids' viewing habits, repeatedly asking, "Isn't this why they made YouTube Kids?" "Even without requesting ID, why is an AI combing through every single video I watch?" Gerfdas posited. "As an adult, I should be able to watch what I want within the law -- and if the viewer is a child, that responsibility belongs to their parents, not a corporation." YouTube did not respond to multiple requests to comment and so far has not acknowledged Gerfdas' petition. But Gerfdas is hoping that enough backlash may force YouTube to rethink its AI age checks, telling Ars that "even if they don't respond right away, we'll keep making noise until they do." Adult YouTubers defend childish viewing habits As Ars monitored, hundreds of self-described YouTubers joined Gerfdas' petition hourly. Gerfdas told Ars the petition's popularity suggested that "this isn't just a YouTube issue." As age checks become more commonplace across the Internet due to regulatory pressure globally, people motivated to defend digital freedom are balking and increasingly banding together, Gerfdas said. "To a lot of people, this feels like mass surveillance and censorship under the banner of 'protecting kids,'" Gerfdas told Ars. "People want a free, open Internet without having their activities constantly tracked or filtered." For YouTubers signing Gerfdas' petition, the pressure is on to disrupt age-verification trends that, experts told Ars, risk exposing vulnerable users who rely on anonymity to use YouTube. That includes queer YouTubers, one of whom commented that sharing their ID or selfie to appeal an AI age check would "absolutely be putting myself in danger." The obvious question for critics is how a YouTube watch history could possibly be a reliable age indicator, especially since many adults are nostalgic for childhood content on YouTube. One commenter, Estelle, said that she "relies on childish and silly content to get through the rough days" as a person with disabilities. Videos like "toy unboxings" or "silly animations" offer one way "to literally cope in a world that doesn't want me in it," she wrote, noting that "nobody asked for" some "weird dumb robot policing" YouTubers for loving videos made for kids. Some commenters with autism suggested that they may be specifically targeted by the AI system since their special interests may be perceived by AI as "childish." Others identified as parents wondering how the AI system might interpret moments when their child uses a shared account. Privacy experts have criticized YouTube's lack of transparency on its AI age-estimation system, noting that YouTube has not shared any external research verifying the model's effectiveness. One YouTuber signing Gerfdas' petition, Karina, pointed out a recent Discord mishap in which a 30-year-old was flagged as underage, while noting that AI age checks on other platforms haven't been that reliable. "I'm autistic," Karina wrote. "It's not fun being a grown woman and being treated like a child because of your interests." Further, "the first rule of Internet safety is to never give out your personal information online, because it's so easy for it to get stolen," Karina said. "It's concerning that YouTube somehow thinks that this is a good idea." Expressing distrust in YouTube's AI was a common theme throughout the petition, as well as expressing distrust in YouTube's motives in launching the AI system. One commenter, Ananda, fumed, "This new policy is all about data mining to get rid of anonymity on the Internet once and for all. The Internet should not be a sanitized corporate theme park where everything is monetized and moralized." Another particularly grumpy commenter summed up criticism of YouTube's AI age checks, writing, "We're not living in a dystopia. We're living in Earth. I refuse to give ID or identification to watch damn videos." For Gerfdas, it's likely hard not to be sympathetic to another group of commenters signing the petition -- teen content creators who don't want AI to restrict their YouTube activity. Gerfdas started watching YouTube at 13, eventually starting a channel as an adult in 2023 after being heavily influenced by favorite content creators Gerfdas grew up watching. In an ideal world, Gerfdas told Ars, YouTube would end the AI age-check experiment and keep the prior system, while maintaining efforts with YouTube Kids to help parents restrict children's viewing. Although Gerfdas partly depends on the platform for income, if YouTube launched the AI system platform-wide, Gerfdas said then it might be time to "seriously" consider leaving. "We cannot allow YouTube to quietly implement AI surveillance that violates privacy and autonomy," Gerfdas' Change.org petition said. "Once these systems are normalized, they rarely go away -- they expand. If we don't speak up now, we risk losing our ability to browse, create, and enjoy content freely. This is about more than YouTube. This is about digital freedom."

YouTube Now Guesses Your Age Using AI, Petition Against It Gains Steam

YouTube no longer trusts your birthdate you entered as your sign up for the service. The video streaming platform is moving to an AI-powered system to identify underaged users, and move them onto teen accounts. The new system rolled out on August 13, which was first announced in July, that allows YouTube to use machine learning to monitor your viewing habits, search history, and the length of time your account has been active to generate an estimate of your age. If it believes you're under 18, it'll move you over to a teen account, meaning you'll lose access to age-restricted videos and it will automatically turn on features like bedtime reminders. A statement from a Team YouTube member said, "This work is fundamental to how YouTube safeguards our users, and we'll continue to invest to protect their ability to explore safely online." YouTube has tested this method in other markets before bringing it to the US, and it says it has found the feature to be a success. Some US users are upset that it may mean they'll be moved to a restricted account by mistake. For example, if you enjoy animated videos that traditionally skew younger, you may wrongly be identified as under 18. YouTube says it has a system in place to help you appeal its decision, but you have to provide evidence of your age. You'll be notified if you're moved over to an under 18 account, and then you can verify that it's wrong with a credit card, government ID, or a selfie. However, YouTube hasn't clarified how that data will be used. A spokesperson for the company told Ars Technica that it "does not retain data" specifically "for the purposes of advertising." As pointed out by Ars Technica, that wording suggests YouTube may retain the data for other uses. Some users are upset enough to start a Change.org petition that has now reached over 68,000 signatures, and it's rapidly growing. The petition was started by a YouTube gaming creator called Gerfdas Gaming. It reads, "I don't know about you, but I don't want AI and companies tracking everything I do, with all my personal information going who knows where. This is an attempt to acquire user data, and blatant censorship hidden behind a thin veil of ''protect the kids!'' We cannot allow this to escalate further."

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.

YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

PSA: YouTube will start guessing your age from today

You can dispute the age estimation by providing a government ID, selfie, or a credit card. YouTube will start rolling out its new AI-powered age estimation system in the US beginning today, August 13. First announced last month, the feature uses artificial intelligence to determine whether a user is likely under 18, based on factors such as their viewing habits, YouTube search history, and how long their account has been active. This process applies to all YouTube accounts, regardless of the birthdate entered during sign-up.

YouTube activates AI age verification next week, what you need to know and how to get out of it

There has been a buzz around a not-so-new initiative from Google and YouTube that would put age verification in the hands of AI, and it's rolling out in just a few days. The new system will determine whether users are 18 or not, and it's being put in place next week. Before that, there are a few things to know. YouTube recently made an announcement that made some waves throughout its userbase. A new age verification system will be instituted for all YouTube viewers, powered by an AI model that simply determines your age. One of the main reasons some users are heavily concerned about the new age verification system comes down to the method of determination. In the past, users would need to input their birthday, which would tell YouTube how old you were. From there, certain content would be locked or allowed, depending on if you were older than 18. The content wall is still set at 18, but instead of self-reporting, users won't have a say in how old Google's AI model thinks they are. YouTube's AI will likely be pretty good at guessing based on a few factors, but it's not going to be 100% accurate. That's where users are getting worried. The company noted its determination process in a couple of announcement posts. Both stated that YouTube's AI would be able to tell how old the viewer was based on what videos they are searching for, the categories of videos watched, and the age of the account. Ideally, if you signed up for YouTube in 2007, the AI would have to reasonably assume you were 18. But what if you created the account recently, or it's a new alternate account? Then that method is out the door. From there, it comes down to content watched and searched for. While that may sound reasonable, some users have concerns that parents will be determined to be under 18, because they're children are watching content on their device. Further, adults who simply like watching animated series or other content deemed to be appropriate for minors might be labeled as underage. There are a few potential flaws to this system, and there are still a lot of questions to be answered about how well it works. YouTube has noted that AI age verification has already been in place for some regions, and with high success rates. The company claims that the models used are even more advanced now, and they should be accurate. These protections for teens are not new - we now have enhanced technology to more accurately determine whether or not a user is under 18 and are now able to extend these protections to more teenagers. We've used this approach in other markets for some time, where it is working well and we are now gradually rolling it out to the US. If YouTube determines you're under 18, whether that's true or not, there will be a few changes made to the account. First, personalized ads will be turned off. This is likely one of the driving factors for the new system, as selling personalized ads for minors isn't allowed in many regions. As most minors lie about their age on YouTube, the company could face legal trouble if it were found to be doing so. YouTube is going a step further past the legal protections, noting that digital wellbeing tool will be enabled by default. That includes "take a break" messages and bedtime reminders. The app will also warn users about privacy concerns when they comment or upload a video. In its announcement post, YouTube noted that users could verify their age via other means if the AI model deemed them to be underage. That includes uploading a government ID, taking a verification selfie, or uploading a credit card. The latter option seems to be the least invasive, and most users are accustomed to linking their cards to just about any online service that asks. The former, however, are two very controversial options, and users with security concerns would like to avoid these options if possible. In reality, your options come down to letting the AI determine your age, and if it's wrong, verifying via a method you deem acceptable. If those options aren't reasonable to you, YouTube doesn't seem to offer any other verification methods. As noted at the beginning of this article, YouTube plans on rolling this new system out on August 13. From that point forward, the content viewed and searched for will determine what age YouTube's AI thinks you are. If it decides you're a minor, you have limited options to let it know it's wrong. Protections for minors on apps and sites like YouTube are always welcome. In a perfect world, users would correctly identify themselves so that protections work as they should. If YouTube's AI verification works well, then this will likely be another feature that users learn to get used to. If it doesn't, creators may take issue with the new system.

YouTube users are furious about its new AI-powered age checks in the US, and they're not holding back - here's how they work

If it detects you're under 18, you'll have to verify your age by submitting a credit card or government ID YouTube has officially launched its AI-based age checks in the US, following the introduction of online age verification checks in the UK, which aim to shield young people from viewing adult content. Since its widespread rollout came into effect, it's been met with a slew of backlash, and users are furious. The main reason why users are concerned with YouTube's new age check process is down to the age-estimation model itself, which the company announced will "use AI to interpret a variety of signals that help us to determine whether a user is over or under 18". But how will it work? YouTube's AI model will use 'signals' to detect whether a user is under or over the age of 18, which include the longevity of the account, the types of videos a user searches for, and the categories of videos they've already watched. If YouTube detects you're underage, it will restrict your account by disabling personalized advertising, turning on digital wellbeing tools, and limiting repetitive views of some kinds of content, despite the age you've set on your account. If you're falsely estimated to be under 18, you'll have to verify your age by submitting a credit card or government ID. YouTube hasn't stated how this AI model will receive data from those trying to verify their age, nor how the data will be stored, which has sparked fears of possible data leaks. Although it's early days into YouTube's new AI age checks, users are already taking measures to stop them. On Tuesday, a Change.org petition was published and has grown exponentially, reaching over 90,000 signatures so far. The petition reads "this isn't just about age restriction - it's about mass surveillance and data control", but that's not the only reason why users are angry. One Reddit post has sparked widespread conversation about YouTube's new age checks, garnering 1.8k responses. Oh my GOD, it's happening from r/youtube Aside from data control concerns, the question as to whether YouTube is a host for 'real' adult content is another conversation furious users are having (see below). This was also raised when Spotify introduced its face-scanning age checks in the UK, another service that - despite not hosting X-rated content - hosts podcasts that may be deemed of mature nature. Comment from r/youtube While YouTube is very much on it with flagging adult-leaning content, this can affect videos such as movie and game trailers, which are watched by users of all ages. With the new age checks in place, some content in this category won't be available to watch if you haven't logged in, as one user has shared. Comment from r/youtube How do you feel about YouTube's new age verification checks? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

YouTube will begin using AI for age verification next week

YouTube is officially rolling out its AI-assisted age verification next week to catch users who lie about their age. YouTube announced in late July that it would start using artificial intelligence for age verification. And this week, 9to5Google reported that the new system will go into effect on Aug. 13. The new system will "help provide the best and most age-appropriate experiences and protections," according to YouTube. "Over the next few weeks, we'll begin to roll out machine learning to a small set of users in the US to estimate their age, so that teens are treated as teens and adults as adults," wrote James Beser, Director of Product Management with YouTube Youth, in a blog post. "We'll closely monitor this before we roll it out more widely. This technology will allow us to infer a user's age and then use that signal, regardless of the birthday in the account, to deliver our age-appropriate product experiences and protections." "We've used this approach in other markets for some time, where it is working well," Beser added. The AI interprets a "variety of signals" to determine a user's age, including "the types of videos a user is searching for, the categories of videos they have watched, or the longevity of the account." If the system determines that a user is a teen, it will automatically apply age-appropriate experiences and protections. If the system incorrectly determines a user's age, the user will have to verify that they're over 18 with a government ID or credit card. This comes at a time in which age verification efforts are ramping up across the world -- and not without controversy. As Wired reported, when the UK began requiring residents to verify their ages before watching porn as part of the Online Safety Act, users immediately started using VPNs to get around the law. Some platforms use face scanning or IDs, which can be easily faked. As generative AI gets more sophisticated, so will the ability to work around age verification tools. And, as Mashable previously reported, users are reasonably wary of giving too much of their private information to companies because of security breaches, as in the recent Tea app leak. In theory, as Wired also reported, "age verification serves to keep kids safer." But, in reality, "the systems being put into place are flawed ones, both from a privacy and protection standpoint." Samir Jain, vice president of policy at the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, told the Associated Press that age verification requirements "raise serious privacy and free expression concerns," including the "potential to upend access to First Amendment-protected speech on the internet for everyone, children and adults alike." "If states are to go forward with these burdensome laws, age verification tools must be accurate and limit collection, sharing, and retention of personal information, particularly sensitive information like birthdate and biometric data," Jain told the news outlet.

YouTube turns to AI to spot children posing as adults

San Francisco (United States) (AFP) - YouTube has started using artificial intelligence (AI) to figure out when users are children pretending to be adults on the popular video-sharing platform amid pressure to protect minors from sensitive content. The new safeguard is being rolled out in the United States as Google-owned YouTube and social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are under scrutiny to shield children from content geared for grown-ups. A version of AI referred to as machine learning will be used to estimate the age of users based on a variety of factors, including the kinds of videos watched and account longevity, according to YouTube Youth director of product management James Beser. "This technology will allow us to infer a user's age and then use that signal, regardless of the birthday in the account, to deliver our age-appropriate product experiences and protections," Beser said. "We've used this approach in other markets for some time, where it is working well." The age-estimation model enhances technology already in place to deduce user age, according to YouTube. Users will be notified if YouTube believes them to be minors, giving them the option to verify their age with a credit card, selfie, or government ID, according to the tech firm. Social media platforms are regularly accused of failing to protect the well-being of children. Australia will soon use its landmark social media laws to ban children under 16 from YouTube, a top minister said late last month, stressing a need to shield them from "predatory algorithms." Communications Minister Anika Wells said four-in-ten Australian children had reported viewing harmful content on YouTube, one of the most visited websites in the world. Australia announced last year it was drafting laws that will ban children from social media sites such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram until they turn 16. "Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens," the company said in a statement at the time. "It's not social media." On paper, the ban is one of the strictest in the world. It is due to come into effect on December 10. The legislation has been closely monitored by other countries, with many weighing whether to implement similar bans.

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.

YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.

YouTube is ready to start testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. using artificial intelligence to distinguish between adults and minors based on their viewing habits YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

YouTube begins rollout on new AI age verification tool

YouTube has begun testing a new feature that it says will predict a user's age. The new feature, which uses artificial intelligence, will automatically determine if someone is under 18, according to a post on YouTube's official blog, dated July 29. It will be first implemented in the U.S. before it's rolled out widely, the social media and video sharing platform said. YouTube said the feature is intended to provide better protections for younger users. "Over the next few weeks, we'll begin to roll out machine learning to a small set of users in the US to estimate their age, so that teens are treated as teens and adults as adults. We'll closely monitor this before we roll it out more widely," the company wrote in its blog post, which was attributed to James Beser, director of product management for YouTube Youth. "This technology will allow us to infer a user's age and then use that signal, regardless of the birthday in the account, to deliver our age-appropriate product experiences and protections." Beser wrote that the company has "used this approach in other markets for some time, where it is working well." YouTube first announced the AI feature back in February, stating at the time that it would distinguish "between younger viewers and adults" and "help provide the best and most age appropriate experiences and protections." In the July blog post, Beser outlined details of the new feature and how it works. "We will use AI to interpret a variety of signals that help us to determine whether a user is over or under 18," he wrote. "These signals include the types of videos a user is searching for, the categories of videos they have watched, or the longevity of the account." If the system does identify a teen user, age-appropriate experiences and protections will be automatically be applied, including "disabling personalized advertising, turning on digital wellbeing tools and adding safeguards to recommendations, including limiting repetitive views of some kinds of content." Beser noted that if the system incorrectly identifies a user as under 18, they will be able to verify their age with a credit card or government ID. "We will only allow users who have been inferred or verified as over 18 to view age-restricted content that may be inappropriate for younger users," he added. Previously, in September 2024, YouTube introduced supervised accounts, a feature that allows parents and teens to "link their YouTube accounts" on YouTube's Family Center hub, so parents can "see shared insights into their teens' channel activity," according to a blog post, also authored by Beser. The feature is aimed at keeping parents informed about their teens' activity on the platform and helps them foster "encouragement and advice on responsible content creation," Beser wrote at the time. With the addition of the new AI age verification tool, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said in a February blog post that the platform is "laser focused on protecting our youngest users." "We'll continue to responsibly harness the power of AI to enhance the YouTube experience for everyone," he added.

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.

YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

YouTube to Begin Testing a New AI-Powered Age Verification System in the U.S.

YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

Why YouTube Is About to Change For Viewers Under 18

YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The preferred-rate deadline for the 2025 Inc. Best in Business Awards is this Friday, August 15, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

YouTube's New Tool Will Determine User Age, Add Restrictions Proactively

Accounts determined to be minors will not see personalised ads YouTube is now preparing to roll out its artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) age estimation tool soon. Announced in July, this tool uses several user activity metrics to determine the real age of the user. The streaming giant says this feature will better protect minors who have provided fake dates of birth while making their accounts. If an account is determined to belong to someone under the age of 18, the Alphabet-owned company will proactively add content restrictions and activate digital wellbeing features. In a support page, YouTube stated that the age estimation model will be rolled out in the US, starting August 13, to determine if a user is under the age of 18. This AI/ML model does not consider the birth date entered by a user while making the account. Instead, it will use separate signals to analyse the real age of the user. Last month, YouTube said in a blog post that this technology was being implemented so that teenagers and children using the video streaming platform can be treated appropriately as per their age. The tool picks up data such as the searches made on YouTube, the category of videos watches, and the longevity of the account. If an account is determined to be under the age of 18, YouTube will disable personalised advertising, turn on digital wellbeing features, and add safeguards to video recommendations while limiting repetitive views of certain types of content. The company says, based on the progress of the tool, it will also be rolled out in other regions. Acknowledging that the AI system can make mistakes, YouTube said if a user's account is incorrectly flagged as a teen account, they will have the option to verify their age by submitting a government ID, uploading a verification selfie, or a credit card. While the feature is sure to protect some minor users from offensive content and data collection for advertisements, there is a potential risk that parents who play content meant for children on their account can also be falsely flagged. Once a user is flagged, they will have to verify their age. However, the current options are all somewhat privacy invasive, which can pose a tricky situation for privacy-concerned individuals.

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the US - The Economic Times

The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the US, but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the US that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the US, but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behaviour deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the US Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google - a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

YouTube Tests AI-Powered Age Verification In The U.S. To Safeguard Teens While Navigating Privacy And Free Speech Challenges

Social media platforms are increasingly looking for ways to protect young children from the harmful impacts of excessive usage and curb it with different techniques aimed at enhancing online safety. Many big names have been taking an active approach to encouraging age-based viewing habits, and it looks like YouTube is going one step ahead by taking a more aggressive approach to protecting teens. YouTube is now focused on bringing forward a new AI-powered verification system in the United States. With the help of technology, the platform would be able to distinguish between adults and minors based on what they view. YouTube is now starting to test a new AI-powered verification in the United States that would not only rely on users' self-reported information but would use the technology's capabilities to evaluate the type of videos viewed and determine, based on the viewing habits, whether they are adults or minors. This innovative initiative would help identify ages more accurately and protect young users from inappropriate content. The test will initially be rolled out to limited users, with a wider rollout depending on the success of the program. While the initiative is great in terms of user protection, it does raise questions regarding privacy and ethics. Since the AI-based system monitors the content viewed, it could possibly infringe on free speech and be a violation of privacy. Digital rights groups are advocating that such verification methods could erode anonymity and could end up restricting access to sensitive information and online communities where minors and adults both seek support or information, such as mental health forums. This step also tends to align with the approach of regulatory authorities, such as the Online Safety Act, which is meant to protect young children from accessing mature content. If we evaluate the timing of this initiative, it comes at a time when YouTube is already cracking down on ad blockers and introducing AI features that help improve user experience. The platform seems to be actively looking into ways to leverage artificial intelligence and also optimize engagement and monetization. While users could benefit in terms of better content discovery and a safer environment, the balance between safety and privacy is delicate. It is vital to protect young users from harmful content but at the same time ensure it does not stifle free expression or target users. Transparency would be significant when rolling out this new step in order to ensure users are safeguarded.

YouTube to test AI-powered age verification system for US users

YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.

YouTube on Wednesday will begin testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the U.S., but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up. If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age. The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn't show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18. If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie. "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, the video service's director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the age-verification system. People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age. The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online. While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users' ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google -- a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted. Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech.

YouTube's New AI Age Verification System Goes Into Effect Today in the United States - IGN

YouTube has officially launched its new AI age verification technology today, which will automatically add certain restrictions to your account if it thinks you're under 18 years old. This "age-estimation model," as dubbed by the company, uses AI to establish if the user is under 18, despite what you might list as your birthday on your account. If the AI program determines the user is likely to be under 18 -- which it uses factors like activity and longevity of the account to estimate -- YouTube will enact restrictions and security measures. Those restrictions and protections, which already exist on accounts for those under 18, include: showing only non-personalized ads; enabling "digital wellbeing" tools by default, which include reminders to take a break and for bedtime; showing reminders about privacy when uploading a video or commenting publicly; minimizing recommendations of videos with content that could be "problematic if viewed in repetition"; and blocking access to videos that are age-restricted for only viewers 18 and older (determined by YouTube or verified by users). According to the video platform, users "have the option to verify your age (through government ID, selfie or a credit card) if you believe our age estimation model is incorrect." Initially, the program will focus on a small group of users in the US market "so that teens are treated as teens and adults as adults," according to senior director of product management for YouTube's youth products James Beser, who elaborated on the program in a blog post last month. "This technology will allow us to infer a user's age and then use that signal, regardless of the birthday in the account, to deliver our age-appropriate product experiences and protections." Beser added in his post, "YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy. Families trust YouTube to provide a safe and enriching experience, and we'll continue to invest to protect their ability to explore safely online." Needless to say, many folks are not happy with this change, as it puts their account at the whim of a computer program with little oversight -- and if flagged, will have to verify their age by uploading a government ID, which some users have said could leave them susceptible to data leaks and identity theft.