YouTube introduces AI-powered age estimation to protect underage users in the U.S.
Starting August 13, YouTube will use AI to estimate the age of U.S. users and automatically apply protections for those under 18. The system analyzes account activity and age indicators to flag minors, restricting access to age-restricted videos, limiting ad personalization, and activating safety features like content reminders and “take a break” prompts. Users incorrectly identified as minors can verify their age using official ID, credit card, or selfie verification.
This move aligns with increasing global pressure on tech firms to enhance online child safety and represents a major step in applying AI for automated content governance.
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