YouTube users are furious about its new AI-powered age checks in the US, and theyre not holding back heres how they work

Date:
Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:29:29 +0000

Description:
YouTube's AI age checks have come into effect in the US, and users are
furious about it.

FULL STORY ======================================================================YouTube has officially rolled out age verification checks to US users The service
will use AI to determine your age 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, its been met with a slew of backlash, and users are
furious.

The main reason why users are concerned with YouTubes 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?

YouTubes 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 theyve already watched.

If YouTube detects youre 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 youve set on your account. If youre falsely estimated to be under 18, youll 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. Widespread frustration

Although its early days into YouTubes 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 isnt just about age restriction its about mass surveillance and data control", but thats not the only reason why users are angry. One Reddit post has sparked widespread conversation about YouTubes 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 wont be available to watch if you havent logged in, as one user has shared. Comment from r/youtube

How do you feel about YouTubes new age verification checks? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. You might also like Over 450,000 Brits want to repeal the UK Online Safety Act here's how to have your say What happens to your data when you verify your age and what are the risks? The rise of AI on YouTube is changing the platform I grew up with, and not for the better



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/youtube-users-are-furious-about-i ts-new-ai-powered-age-checks-in-the-us-and-theyre-not-holding-back-heres-how-t hey-work


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