Google to Use Machine Learning to Estimate Users’ Age and Block Them From Restricted Content and Ads
Google is testing a tool that uses machine learning to estimate whether a user is underage—and can proactively block sensitive advertising categories.
Users Google identifies as minors will also be barred from accessing apps restricted to adult users in the Google Play store and will automatically be opted into YouTube’s Digital Wellbeing program, which includes features like content protections, limiting repeat views of some kinds of videos, and reminders to take breaks from the platform. The Timeline setting in Google Maps, which keeps a chronological record of places the user has visited, will also be switched off for users estimated to be under 18.