Viewers worry about sensitive personal information being leaked as YouTube uses AI to verify age

According to Variety, YouTube is testing technology in the US that can predict age, to increase protection for young users.

If the AI system determines that a user is likely under 18, the Google-owned platform will activate additional restrictions and security measures. Users can re-verify their age with an ID, selfie, or credit card if they think the AI has misjudged them.

YouTube Age Verification Using AI

James Beser, YouTube's senior director of youth products, said the AI will initially be rolled out to a small group of users in the US, to "ensure that teens are treated appropriately for their age."

He said the technology helps infer real age, thereby providing appropriate experiences and protections, instead of relying solely on date of birth information.

The AI model is based on a variety of signals, including video viewing behavior and account age. If a user is determined to be under 18, they will receive a notification and standard protections for teen accounts will automatically kick in.

These “protections” (which apply to users who declare they are under 18) include: showing only de-personalized advertising (advertising that does not use a user’s personal information);

Enable “digital wellness” tools like take-break and bedtime reminders by default; display privacy warnings when uploading videos or commenting publicly; reduce recommendations for videos with content that could be “problematic if viewed repeatedly”; and block access to videos that are age-restricted to 18+ (as determined by YouTube or verified by users).

Some users are concerned

CNN reported that many YouTube users were upset that they might have to provide a credit card, ID, or selfie (i.e. biometric data) to continue using the adult version of YouTube if the AI misidentifies them as teenagers. Some shared their frustration on X and Reddit with the hashtag #boycottyoutube.

“It’s completely understandable to feel uncomfortable about having to provide sensitive personal information during the appeal process,” said Suzanne Bernstein, an attorney with the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center.

A YouTube spokesperson told CNN that parent company Google “uses the world's most advanced security technology to protect user data from threats, and users can customize their privacy settings, including deleting their data.”