Google uses AI to determine user age

Google has just announced new techniques to determine the age of users focusing on "New digital protections for children, teens and parents".

The spokesperson confirmed that the automation feature will be used across Google products, including YouTube. Google has billions of users across its products, and users identified as under 18 will be restricted from some Google services.

“This year, we began testing a machine learning-based age estimation model in the US,” Jenn Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of Google’s “Core” technology group, wrote in a blog post. The Core unit is responsible for building the technical foundation behind the company’s flagship products and protecting users’ online safety.

“This model helps us estimate whether a user is over or under 18, so we can apply protections to provide a more age-appropriate experience,” said Fitzpatrick.

Google’s latest AI move comes as lawmakers pressure online platforms to create more child safety provisions. The company said it will roll out AI-based age estimates to more countries in the coming months. Meta has previously rolled out similar features that use AI to determine whether someone might be lying about their age since September 2024.

Google and other tech companies have been increasingly relying on AI for a variety of tasks and products. Using AI for age-related content represents Google’s latest AI front.

The new initiative from Google's "Core" team comes after the company reorganized the unit last year, laying off hundreds of employees and moving some roles to India and Mexico, according to CNBC.

(Source CNBC)