Google Implements AI to Verify User Age

Google is initiating the use of artificial intelligence to automatically determine the age of its users. If the system finds that a user is under 18 years old, appropriate restrictions will automatically be enabled across all of the company's services.

These restrictions include features like sleep reminders on YouTube, limiting personalized recommendations and ads, disabling history in Google Maps, and blocking access to certain content in the Play Store.

The algorithms will take into account what users are searching for and the videos they watch on YouTube. Initially, the restrictions will be implemented for a "small portion" of accounts in the USA, but there are plans to expand them later.

In case of a false identification, Google will offer an option to verify age through a photo ID or selfie.

This initiative continues the efforts announced by Google in February, starting with YouTube. The company attributes these changes to societal and political pressures: in the USA, there is growing criticism concerning the influence of social networks on teenagers, and in the UK, legislation requiring age verification on platforms like Discord, Reddit, Bluesky, and Spotify is already in place.