Youtubes Requirement for Government ID

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Background

YouTube is a social media site created on February 14th, 2005. It allows users to upload and view videos from their electronic devices. As the platform has grown in popularity, some content creators have begun to make significant amounts of revenue from their videos, with some creators able to use their earnings as a primary source of income.

YouTube's Government ID Requirement

On July 30th, 2025, in response to the UK's Online Safety Act, YouTube announced that it will be testing a new feature on its platform which scans each user's channel history (including viewed videos) with AI, to which in case of determination that the user is underage (regardless of birthdate in Google account), a government issued ID or video verification will be required to verify that the user is at least 18 years old. If the user refuses, their account will be unable to access age restricted, "potentially mature content" (which has been shown to include several videos critical of Google and YouTube^{[citation needed]}, whether by coincidence or not) and content deemed as problematic for repetitive consumption, on top of losing access to many creator features and abilities, if they were activated prior.

Critics say this violates America's first amendment right to the free speech of people and the press. YouTube has responded stating that "This won’t be required for all users. We’ve always had the option for age verification via ID or credit card if someone is incorrectly estimated to be under 18."

In the past, YouTube has demonetized videos based on AI or algorithmic criteria. Creators who have sought to have the ability of their videos to continue making money have often received vague or no answer as to why the video was in violation. Some users are concerned similar occurrences will happen with the new age verification enforcement.

Consumer response

Some users have signed a Change.org petition and have contacted YouTube to revoke this new requirement. The petition has not received a response from YouTube as of the time of writing.