Google to deploy AI age assurance tech to detect underage users in Canada

Google is bringing its age assurance technology, which uses artificial intelligence to detect underage users, to Canada, according to a report by The Epoch Times. The company said its model uses machine learning to interpret signals such as search history and YouTube viewing categories to estimate a user’s age.

Accounts identified as underage will receive additional protections, including content recommendation safeguards, while adults mistakenly flagged can verify their age via government ID or a selfie. Jeanette Patell of Google Canada said the rollout would begin gradually in the coming days, with no new data collected beyond what’s already tied to a user’s account.

The move follows Meta’s similar AI-based age detection efforts and comes as Canada’s proposed Bill C-34 seeks to restrict social media access for under-16s.