YouTube's AI Age-Gate: Is Your Viewing History Giving Away Your Age?

2025-08-13 06:00:41.248

YouTube is rolling out a new AI-powered age verification system in the US. This system analyzes users' viewing history to guess their age, applying restrictions to those deemed under 18, including limited recommendations and ad personalization. While initially a small-scale test, it's expected to expand. Users flagged as minors can appeal by providing identification. The system applies only to logged-in accounts, with unlogged-in users facing automatic content restrictions. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling upholding a Texas law against minors accessing pornography online and comes amidst debate over age verification responsibilities between platforms and app stores. Privacy concerns have been raised by some digital rights groups.