YouTube, based in San Bruno and owned by Google, has begun testing a new artificial intelligence-powered age verification system in the United States. The system analyzes users' viewing habits, account history, and patterns such as video consumption and connection times to estimate whether they are under 18 years old. If the AI flags a user as a minor, the platform automatically applies age-appropriate restrictions, including moving the user to a teen account, blocking age-restricted videos, limiting targeted advertising, and curbing sensitive content loops. Users flagged as underage will be required to verify their age by submitting official identification, a selfie, or a credit card. This initiative is part of YouTube's broader effort to protect minors from inappropriate content amid increasing political and public pressure to enhance online safety. The rollout started on August 13, 2025, initially with a small number of users. The AI system also disregards the birthdate users enter, relying instead on behavioral data to determine age. The new verification technology has raised privacy and ethical concerns among users, with some worried about personal data handling and wrongful content restrictions. Additionally, there are reports that similar AI age verification prompts are beginning to appear on other Google services, such as Search. This development reflects a growing trend among online platforms to use AI for age verification to better shield children from sensitive content.