Millions of YouTube Viewers Face Major Restrictions, And People Are Not Happy
One user wrote, “This raises some serious concerns about privacy and potential misuse of AI."
YouTube users in the United States are now facing major restrictions after the platform introduced a new AI-powered age estimation system. The changes have left many frustrated, with users flooding social media to voice their anger.
The video-sharing giant, which has more than 2.5 billion monthly active users worldwide, has begun relying on artificial intelligence to decide whether someone is under 18. Instead of simply accepting the date of birth entered into a Google account, the system analyzes account history, searches, and viewing activity to make its judgment.
What happens if you’re flagged
Anyone the AI system identifies as underage, whether accurate or not, has their account placed in restricted mode. That means certain content is blocked, personalized ads are turned off, and wellbeing tools are automatically enabled. The only way to lift the restrictions is by verifying age with a government-issued ID or a credit card.
Backlash online
The reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. On X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote, “This raises some serious concerns about privacy and potential misuse of AI.” Another declared, “The moment YouTube asks for my ID is the moment I stop using YouTube.”
Others said the move has convinced them to drop their subscriptions. “I’ll be cancelling my Premium subscription!” one person posted. Another simply warned, “This will not end well.”
Many users also expressed outrage at the idea of handing over sensitive information to access unrestricted content. “I’m not trusting a company with my personal information. If a data breach happens, everyone’s screwed. Instead of parenting the internet, YouTube is punishing adults,” one angry user argued.
Anyone the AI system identifies as underage, whether accurate or not, has their account placed in restricted mode
UnsplashPetition builds momentum
A Change.org petition opposing the new system has already gathered close to 100,000 signatures. Its creator warned that the AI "analyses your entire watch history and behaviour" and framed it as a step toward “mass surveillance and data control.”
One user wrote, “This raises some serious concerns about privacy and potential misuse of AI."
UnsplashYouTube’s response
YouTube has defended the changes, saying the system is meant to protect children. James Beser, Google’s director of product management at YouTube, explained, “We use AI to interpret signals that help us determine whether a user is over or under 18. These include the types of videos a user is searching for, the categories of videos they’ve watched, and the longevity of the account.”
Beser also stressed that credit card and ID details used for verification would not be applied to advertising. “Only users who are inferred or verified as over 18 will be able to access age-restricted content,” he said.
The company has confirmed that birthdays entered on accounts no longer carry weight, since they can be falsified. Instead, AI judgments now take precedence.
For many, the platform feels significantly different, and the controversy shows no signs of slowing down.
UnsplashWhat’s next
While YouTube has said it is closely monitoring the system and initially applied it to a limited set of users, the rollout is already reshaping the viewing experience in the United States. For many, the platform feels significantly different, and the controversy shows no signs of slowing down.