Google is using AI age checks to lock down user accounts

Google volition soon formed an adjacent wider nett with its AI property estimation technology. After announcing plans to find and restrict underage users connected YouTube, the institution present says it volition commencement detecting whether Google users based successful the US are nether 18.

Age estimation is rolling retired implicit the adjacent fewer weeks and volition lone interaction a “small set” of users to start, though Google plans connected expanding it much widely. The institution says it volition usage the accusation a idiosyncratic has searched for oregon the types of YouTube videos they ticker to find their age. Google first announced this initiative successful February.

If Google believes that a idiosyncratic is nether 18, it volition use the aforesaid restrictions it places connected users who proactively place arsenic underage. In summation to enabling bedtime reminders connected YouTube and limiting contented recommendations, Google volition besides crook disconnected Timeline successful Maps, disable personalized advertising, and artifact users from accessing apps for adults connected the Play Store.

In lawsuit Google incorrectly identifies idiosyncratic arsenic nether 18, users tin taxable a photograph of their authorities ID oregon a selfie to verify their age. The determination comes amid a planetary push for property verification, with politicians successful the US pressuring tech companies to marque their platforms safer for kids, and the UK wide rolling retired an property verification request affecting platforms similar Bluesky, Reddit, Discord, and even Spotify.