What to know

  • Google is using AI to estimate users' ages and restrict accounts suspected to belong to those under 18.
  • The system analyzes profile photos and other signals to flag potential underage users.
  • Flagged users will be asked to verify their age with official documents or parental consent.
  • This move aims to improve child safety and comply with global regulations.

Google is stepping up its efforts to protect minors online by rolling out a new AI-powered age estimation system. The company announced that it will use artificial intelligence to help identify and restrict accounts that may belong to users under 18 years old. This initiative is part of Google's broader push to enhance child safety and meet the growing demands of privacy regulations worldwide.

The AI system works by analyzing various signals, including profile photos, to estimate a user's age. If the system suspects that an account holder is underage, Google will lock the account and prompt the user to verify their age. Verification options include uploading a government-issued ID or seeking parental consent, depending on the user's location and local laws.

Google says this approach will help catch cases where users may have lied about their age during sign-up or where parents have created accounts for their children using false birth dates. The company has already started rolling out these checks in the United States and plans to expand the feature to other countries in the coming months.

For users who are flagged by the system, the process is straightforward but strict. Once an account is locked, the user receives instructions on how to provide proof of age. If the user cannot verify they are over 18, the account will remain restricted. Google emphasizes that this process is designed to minimize disruption for legitimate users while prioritizing child safety.

This move comes as tech companies face increasing scrutiny over how they handle minors' data and access to online services. Regulations like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the U.S. and the Digital Services Act in Europe are pushing platforms to implement stronger age verification measures.

Google's new AI age checks are part of a series of updates aimed at making its platforms safer for young users. The company has previously introduced features like SafeSearch by default for minors and restricted ad targeting for users under 18. With the addition of AI-powered age estimation, Google hopes to set a new standard for protecting children online while maintaining compliance with global privacy laws.