YouTube age verification: Difference between revisions

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==YouTube's government ID requirement==

On 29 July 2025, in response to the [[UK Online Safety Act|UK's Online Safety Act]],<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Online Safety Act: explainer |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer |website=GOV.UK |date=24 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~RHWsz~~ |archive-date=~~29 Jul 2025~~}}</ref> YouTube announced that it would be testing a new feature on its platform which scans each user's channel history (including viewed videos) with AI which, if it's determined that the user is under-age (regardless of birth date in their [[Google]] account), a government-issued ID or video verification will be required to verify that the user is at least 18 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beser |first=James |title=Extending Our Built-in Protections To More Teens On YouTube |url=https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |website=[[YouTube]] Official Blog |date=29 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729181349/https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |archive-date=29 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=Michael |title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature |url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |website=GameRant |date=30 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730234131/https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |archive-date=30 Jul 2025}}</ref> If the user decides not to, their account will be unable to access age-restricted "potentially mature content" and content deemed as problematic for repetitive consumption, as well as losing access to many creator features and abilities (if they were activated prior).

On 29 July 2025, in response to the [[UK Online Safety Act|UK's Online Safety Act]],<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Online Safety Act: explainer |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer |website=GOV.UK |date=24 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221095654/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> YouTube announced that it would be testing a new feature on its platform which scans each user's channel history (including viewed videos) with AI which, if it's determined that the user is under-age (regardless of birth date in their [[Google]] account), a government-issued ID or video verification will be required to verify that the user is at least 18 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beser |first=James |title=Extending Our Built-in Protections To More Teens On YouTube |url=https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |website=[[YouTube]] Official Blog |date=29 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729181349/https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |archive-date=29 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=Michael |title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature |url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |website=GameRant |date=30 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730234131/https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |archive-date=30 Jul 2025}}</ref> If the user decides not to, their account will be unable to access age-restricted "potentially mature content" and content deemed as problematic for repetitive consumption, as well as losing access to many creator features and abilities (if they were activated prior).

Additionally, YouTube now requires creators to re-upload IDs and video verification if the user has:

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YouTube has responded stating that:

<blockquote>"This won't be required for all users. We've always had the option for age verification via ID or credit card if someone is incorrectly estimated to be under 18 — this update is about using better technology to make these estimations."<ref>{{Cite web |author=@TeamYouTube |title=TeamYouTube on X |url=https://x.com/TeamYouTube/status/1950958354349633946 |website=[[X]] |date=31 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://~~archive~~.is/~~TdlZu~~ |archive-date=~~2 Aug~~ 2025}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>"This won't be required for all users. We've always had the option for age verification via ID or credit card if someone is incorrectly estimated to be under 18 — this update is about using better technology to make these estimations."<ref>{{Cite web |author=@TeamYouTube |title=TeamYouTube on X |url=https://x.com/TeamYouTube/status/1950958354349633946 |website=[[X]] |date=31 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251104063821/https://x.com/TeamYouTube/status/1950958354349633946 |archive-date=4 Nov 2025}}</ref></blockquote>

This most likely refers to their eligibility system for advanced creator features, of which ID and/or video verification is a method of gaining access.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Learn about feature access for YouTube Creators |url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9890437 |website=[[YouTube]] Help |date=16 Aug 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829151136/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9890437 |archive-date=29 Aug 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer response==

Some users have signed a [[Change.org]] petition (with 130,086 verified signatures as of 24 January 2025) and have contacted YouTube to revoke this new requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Gerfdas Gaming |title=YouTube’s AI Tracks Everything You Watch — Stop This Now |url=https://www.change.org/p/youtube-s-ai-tracks-everything-you-watch-stop-this-now |website=Change.org |date=July 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://~~archive~~.is/~~DiRTp~~ |archive-date=25 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Belanger |first=Ashley |title=YouTube backlash begins: “Why is AI combing through every single video I watch?” |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |website=Ars Technica |date=12 Aug 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812180249/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |archive-date=12 Aug 2025}}</ref> As of 24 January 2026, the petition has not received a response from YouTube.

Some users have signed a [[Change.org]] petition (with 130,086 verified signatures as of 24 January 2025) and have contacted YouTube to revoke this new requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Gerfdas Gaming |title=YouTube’s AI Tracks Everything You Watch — Stop This Now |url=https://www.change.org/p/youtube-s-ai-tracks-everything-you-watch-stop-this-now |website=Change.org |date=July 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128031157/https://www.change.org/p/youtube-s-ai-tracks-everything-you-watch-stop-this-now |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Belanger |first=Ashley |title=YouTube backlash begins: “Why is AI combing through every single video I watch?” |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |website=Ars Technica |date=12 Aug 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812180249/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |archive-date=12 Aug 2025}}</ref> As of 24 January 2026, the petition has not received a response from YouTube.

==References==

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ==YouTube's government ID requirement==
-On 29 July 2025, in response to the [[UK Online Safety Act|UK's Online Safety Act]],<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Online Safety Act: explainer |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer |website=GOV.UK |date=24 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/RHWsz |archive-date=29 Jul 2025}}</ref> YouTube announced that it would be testing a new feature on its platform which scans each user's channel history (including viewed videos) with AI which, if it's determined that the user is under-age (regardless of birth date in their [[Google]] account), a government-issued ID or video verification will be required to verify that the user is at least 18 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beser |first=James |title=Extending Our Built-in Protections To More Teens On YouTube |url=https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |website=[[YouTube]] Official Blog |date=29 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729181349/https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |archive-date=29 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=Michael |title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature |url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |website=GameRant |date=30 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730234131/https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |archive-date=30 Jul 2025}}</ref> If the user decides not to, their account will be unable to access age-restricted "potentially mature content" and content deemed as problematic for repetitive consumption, as well as losing access to many creator features and abilities (if they were activated prior).
+On 29 July 2025, in response to the [[UK Online Safety Act|UK's Online Safety Act]],<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Online Safety Act: explainer |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer |website=GOV.UK |date=24 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221095654/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> YouTube announced that it would be testing a new feature on its platform which scans each user's channel history (including viewed videos) with AI which, if it's determined that the user is under-age (regardless of birth date in their [[Google]] account), a government-issued ID or video verification will be required to verify that the user is at least 18 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beser |first=James |title=Extending Our Built-in Protections To More Teens On YouTube |url=https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |website=[[YouTube]] Official Blog |date=29 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729181349/https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/ |archive-date=29 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=Michael |title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature |url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |website=GameRant |date=30 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730234131/https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |archive-date=30 Jul 2025}}</ref> If the user decides not to, their account will be unable to access age-restricted "potentially mature content" and content deemed as problematic for repetitive consumption, as well as losing access to many creator features and abilities (if they were activated prior).
 Additionally, YouTube now requires creators to re-upload IDs and video verification if the user has:
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 YouTube has responded stating that:
-<blockquote>"This won't be required for all users. We've always had the option for age verification via ID or credit card if someone is incorrectly estimated to be under 18 — this update is about using better technology to make these estimations."<ref>{{Cite web |author=@TeamYouTube |title=TeamYouTube on X |url=https://x.com/TeamYouTube/status/1950958354349633946 |website=[[X]] |date=31 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/TdlZu |archive-date=2 Aug 2025}}</ref></blockquote>
+<blockquote>"This won't be required for all users. We've always had the option for age verification via ID or credit card if someone is incorrectly estimated to be under 18 — this update is about using better technology to make these estimations."<ref>{{Cite web |author=@TeamYouTube |title=TeamYouTube on X |url=https://x.com/TeamYouTube/status/1950958354349633946 |website=[[X]] |date=31 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251104063821/https://x.com/TeamYouTube/status/1950958354349633946 |archive-date=4 Nov 2025}}</ref></blockquote>
 This most likely refers to their eligibility system for advanced creator features, of which ID and/or video verification is a method of gaining access.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Learn about feature access for YouTube Creators |url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9890437 |website=[[YouTube]] Help |date=16 Aug 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829151136/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9890437 |archive-date=29 Aug 2025}}</ref>
 ==Consumer response==
-Some users have signed a [[Change.org]] petition (with 130,086 verified signatures as of 24 January 2025) and have contacted YouTube to revoke this new requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Gerfdas Gaming |title=YouTube’s AI Tracks Everything You Watch — Stop This Now |url=https://www.change.org/p/youtube-s-ai-tracks-everything-you-watch-stop-this-now |website=Change.org |date=July 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/DiRTp |archive-date=25 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Belanger |first=Ashley |title=YouTube backlash begins: “Why is AI combing through every single video I watch?” |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |website=Ars Technica |date=12 Aug 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812180249/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |archive-date=12 Aug 2025}}</ref> As of 24 January 2026, the petition has not received a response from YouTube.
+Some users have signed a [[Change.org]] petition (with 130,086 verified signatures as of 24 January 2025) and have contacted YouTube to revoke this new requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Gerfdas Gaming |title=YouTube’s AI Tracks Everything You Watch — Stop This Now |url=https://www.change.org/p/youtube-s-ai-tracks-everything-you-watch-stop-this-now |website=Change.org |date=July 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128031157/https://www.change.org/p/youtube-s-ai-tracks-everything-you-watch-stop-this-now |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Belanger |first=Ashley |title=YouTube backlash begins: “Why is AI combing through every single video I watch?” |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |website=Ars Technica |date=12 Aug 2025 |access-date=24 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812180249/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/50k-youtubers-rage-against-ai-spying-that-could-expose-identities/ |archive-date=12 Aug 2025}}</ref> As of 24 January 2026, the petition has not received a response from YouTube.
 ==References==