YouTube users are furious about its new AI-powered age checks in the US, and they’re not holding back – here’s how they work

• 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, it’s been met with a slew of backlash, and users are furious.

The main reason why users are concerned with YouTube’s 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?

YouTube’s 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 they’ve already watched.

If YouTube detects you’re 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 you’ve set on your account. If you’re falsely estimated to be under 18, you’ll 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 it’s early days into YouTube’s 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 isn’t just about age restriction – it’s about mass surveillance and data control", but that’s not the only reason why users are angry. One Reddit post has sparked widespread conversation about YouTube’s 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 won’t be available to watch if you haven’t logged in, as one user has shared.

Comment from r/youtube

How do you feel about YouTube’s new age verification checks? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

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