YouTube is unleashing a second wave of age-gating restrictions, and it is seriously angering some adult users on the platform.

For those unaware, the streaming giant’s AI-powered age-detection system launched in the US earlier this summer, but it wasn’t until September that the system started flagging users en masse. The fact that YouTube wants to prevent young users from accessing adult material on the platform isn’t really the problem here — rather, YouTube should be commended for the effort. The problem is that the platform is, by mistake or not, flagging adult users as underaged ones.

Those spared in the first wave, however, shouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. The streaming giant is now unleashing a second wave of restrictions, and arguably, it is more aggressive than before.

Reports about the second wave of flagging have made their way to Reddit, with numerous users indicating that they’ve been falsely classified as minors.

ID or limits

What will you choose?

“We’ve changed some of your settings. We couldn’t verify that you’re an adult,” reads one of the prompts YouTube is sending to users. “Take a few minutes to verify your age. To view this video, please provide more info so we can be sure you’re an adult,” reads a different one.

Elsewhere, users have also pointed out that the AI tool flagging underage accounts is clearly making false assumptions. An 18-year-old user said “my parents made it (the YouTube account in question) when I was born. How the hell is my account flagged for being a ‘minor,’ despite it being 18 years old.”

A different user added, “So today I got one of my other channels flagged as under 18 (Even though I’m literally 21) and the thing that confuses me is that first of all I have NOT used this channel since March.”

Those incorrectly flagged are now in a dilemma. They must either accept drastic content-viewing limitations and restrictions, or submit personal data/identification to prove that they’re over 18. Alternatively, creating a new YouTube account might be the only way to continue watching content in an unrestricted manner without handing over personal information.

In addition to restricted access to content, accounts classified as underage also have other “protections” automatically applied. These include:

  • Only non-personalized ads.
  • Enabling digital wellbeing tools by default.
  • Frequent reminders about privacy when uploading a video or commenting publicly.
  • Minimizing recommendations of videos with content that could be problematic if viewed in repetition.

Has your YouTube account been flagged by the second wave of the streaming giant’s AI age audit? Let us know in the comments below.