Google is set to utilize artificial intelligence for the automatic determination of user age. If the system identifies a user as under 18, it will activate appropriate restrictions across all its services.
This includes features such as sleep reminders on YouTube, limitations on personalized recommendations and ads, disabling history in Google Maps, and blocking access to certain content in the Play Store.
The algorithms will consider what users are searching for and the videos they watch on YouTube. Initially, these restrictions will be applied to a "small portion" of accounts in the US, with plans for future expansion.
In cases of incorrect identification, Google will prompt users to verify their age by providing a photo ID or a selfie.
This initiative continues the efforts announced by Google in February, starting with YouTube. The company attributes the changes to societal and political pressures—criticism regarding the impact of social media on teenagers is rising in the US, while the UK already has legislation requiring age verification on platforms like Discord, Reddit, Bluesky, and Spotify.
