YouTube 'asks' AI to verify user age

YouTube will begin testing a new age verification system in the US that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to distinguish between adult and minor users based on the type of videos they have watched.

The system will initially only be available to a small portion of users in the US, but could potentially be expanded if it works as expected in other regions.

This verification system only works when users are logged into their accounts and will assess their age based on the video content they watch, regardless of the date of birth declared when registering.

If the system determines a user is under 18, YouTube applies controls to limit access to age-inappropriate content, including reminders to take breaks, privacy warnings, and limiting video recommendations.

These measures are intended to protect minors from inappropriate content, and YouTube will not show personalized ads to users under 18.

In case of age misidentification, users can correct the error by providing identification, credit card or a selfie for authentication.

Users can still access YouTube without logging in, but some content will be automatically blocked if there is insufficient age proof.

Political pressure to increase age verification on online platforms to protect children from inappropriate content has been mounting since late June, when the US Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from viewing pornography online.

While services like YouTube are working on age verification, some argue that responsibility should fall to major app stores like Apple and Google, both of which have argued against it.

Digital privacy groups in the US have also expressed concerns that age verification could invade personal privacy and violate First Amendment freedom of speech.