YouTube is rolling out a new experiment where artificial intelligence analyzes user behavior to estimate age, sparking both curiosity and controversy. The system works by examining what users search for and watch, alongside the age of their account, to determine if they are under 18.
If the AI flags someone as a minor, it automatically activates a child safety mode, which includes disabling personalized ads and enforcing restrictions like “digital wellbeing” features.
Removing these blocks requires submitting proof of age — either a passport, ID card, or selfie. While aimed at protecting younger users, the move has already drawn backlash, with over 50,000 people signing a petition against it.
The logic behind the system has clear flaws. The algorithm’s accuracy is limited to a ±2-year margin, putting teenagers and young adults aged 16-20 at risk of misclassification. Adults who enjoy cartoons or share accounts with family members could also be wrongly tagged as minors. This broad net raises concerns about fairness and user experience.
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The most contentious issue is the appeal process. To verify age, users must upload sensitive documents and facial photos, potentially creating centralized databases of IDs, cards, and biometric data at YouTube. This has fueled privacy worries, with critics arguing it hands the platform unprecedented personal information control. As the experiment unfolds, the balance between safety and user rights remains hotly debated.
