YouTube Adds an AI Bouncer to Guess Your Age & Check Your ID
Published On: July 31, 2025
YouTube is getting more serious about age verification in the US. Over the next few weeks, the platform will begin testing AI tools that estimate users’ ages based on how they use the platform. If the system flags your account as potentially under 18, you’ll be asked to prove your age, using a government ID, a credit card, or even a selfie.
Although the age checks are meant to block minors from restricted content, they haven’t proven foolproof. In the UK, some users found ways to bypass the system by using Sam Porter Bridges from Death Stranding to mimic the facial expression prompts shown during verification. This worked because the character’s face was not only modeled after actor Norman Reedus but also scanned and animated to closely match his real expressions.
YouTube will not immediately request an ID from all users. Instead, it will first rely on AI to analyze behavior signals. These include:
- The types of videos you search for
- The categories you watch
- How long your account has been active
If these signals suggest you’re under 18, YouTube will automatically apply teen protections. That means:
- No personalized ads
- More digital wellbeing prompts
- Stricter content recommendations
- Limits on repetitive viewing of sensitive topics
If the estimate turns out to be wrong, users can verify their age to unlock restricted content. Verification options include uploading a government-issued ID, entering a credit card, or submitting a facial scan.
This move raises privacy concerns. YouTube has experienced data breaches in the past, which makes the idea of collecting government IDs, credit card details, or facial scans more concerning. Storing or processing this kind of sensitive information could put users at risk if it ever falls into the wrong hands.
Many users online speculate that this is a move from YouTube to influence the public’s perception of certain topics, whether political or cultural. By labeling certain viewing habits as “teen-like” and restricting access based on those patterns, some fear the platform could shape what content is deemed appropriate or trustworthy. This has raised concerns about whether the AI-driven system could be used to quietly steer users away from certain narratives under the guise of safety and age protection.
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