YouTube testing AI age verification feature ‘concerns’ users; company says: Google uses the world’s most advanced…

YouTube has an AI tool that can guess users' ages. If someone can’t prove it, they will have to verify their identity with a government ID or credit card. The tool was recently tested with a limited number of US users to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content, regardless of the birthdate they provided when signing up. If the AI identifies a user as a minor, the platform's existing teen safety measures will automatically be applied to their account. Users who are incorrectly flagged as minors will be prompted to upload a government ID, a credit card, or a selfie to prove their age. However, this verification has raised concerns among some users and privacy experts about the collection of sensitive personal information.

What YouTube said about personal information safety

In a statement to CNN, A YouTube spokesperson said that Google “uses the world’s most advanced security to protect user data against threats, and users can choose the privacy settings that are right for them, including deleting their data.”

The spokesperson also noted that YouTube will not store information from users’ IDs or credit cards for advertising use. YouTube says the AI system has already shown positive results in other countries before launching in the US this week.

This response came after some YouTube users are voicing strong objections to providing a credit card, ID, or selfie (biometric data) to keep accessing the adult version of the site if they are wrongly flagged as teens. Frustrated users have posted on X and Reddit using the hashtag #boycottYouTube.

AI will use YouTube’s search and activity to guess the user’s age

YouTube’s new AI age verification system uses signals like the types of videos a user searches for and watches, along with how long their account has been active, to estimate if they are under 18.

If the AI identifies a user as a minor, they will automatically be placed under teen safety settings. These include limits on specific content, adjusted video recommendations, blocks on repetitive viewing of particular material, “take a break” prompts, and the removal of personalised ads.

The system worked only for logged-in users, meaning some could bypass restrictions by using YouTube without an account. However, signed-out users cannot watch age-restricted videos.

The update comes as YouTube and other platforms face pressure to strengthen age checks after criticism that teens can bypass safeguards with fake birthdates. The move also aligns with growing concerns from parents and lawmakers about the impact of social media on children’s safety and mental health.

Other platforms like Reddit and Discord have also begun age verification under the UK’s Online Safety Act, whose child protection rules took effect last month.




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