Google tests US machine learning-driven technology to determine the age of users and filters content from all products accordingly.
The company said it would consider data from Google accounts, including the types of details users searched and the categories of videos they watched on YouTube. If your company's tools determine that a user is under the age of 18, you will receive an email with details about how Google products will change.
For these users, Google will disable the timeline on maps, stop personalized ads, restrict age-restricted ad categories, and prohibit access to adult-themed apps in the Play Store. The company will also turn on the digital well-being feature on YouTube. For example, you may consume videos late at night, such as Break Reminders or “Bed To Bed” notifications. Additionally, minor users will no longer be able to access certain types of content repeatedly, such as content that can cause body image problems.
If users believe that they are mistakenly tagged as a minor's account, they can appeal the decision and prove their age using a government ID or selfie photo.
Google took similar steps on YouTube earlier this week, and the company is currently experimenting with machine learning-based age gating in the US on its entire Google account. The company said it experimented with age estimation techniques in some markets (without specifying which market) and worked well.
“Age guarantees help adults have access to the information and services they need, and apply appropriate protection to younger users. The approach to age guarantees uses a combination of age estimation and age verification when necessary,” Google said in a post.
Other platforms, including Instagram and Roblox, have also started using AI to estimate the age of users. Lawmakers are working to introduce rules related to providing appropriate content to minors. In the United States, some states have existing or proposed laws regarding age gating. Meanwhile, the platform began age verification in the UK after the passing of the online safety law.