SAN BRUNO, California: YouTube will start testing an AI-driven age verification system in the U.S., using artificial intelligence to determine whether a logged-in viewer is an adult or a minor based on their viewing habits.

The pilot, initially affecting only a small portion of U.S. users, could expand nationwide if the technology proves as accurate domestically as in other countries. The system will operate only for users signed into their accounts and will assess age regardless of the birth date entered during registration.

If flagged as under 18, a viewer will be subject to the same restrictions YouTube already applies to minors. These include content limitations, privacy warnings, reminders to take breaks, and limits on video recommendations. The platform also blocks personalized ads for users under 18.

Viewers incorrectly flagged as minors can verify their age by submitting a government-issued ID, a credit card, or a selfie.

"YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we're proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy," James Beser, YouTube's director of product management, wrote in a blog post.

Users can still watch videos without logging in, but some content will be automatically restricted unless they provide proof of age.

The move comes amid increased political pressure for online platforms to better protect children from inappropriate content. That pressure intensified in late June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from viewing pornography online.

While platforms like YouTube have begun tightening age checks, some companies argue that the responsibility should lie with major app store operators Apple and Google—an approach that both have resisted.

The new system also raises concerns among privacy and free speech advocates. Groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology warn that mandatory age verification could intrude on personal privacy and infringe on First Amendment rights.

YouTube, which Google has owned for nearly two decades, says the AI-based system is designed to balance youth safety with privacy protections while limiting the need for intrusive personal data collection.