Google Deploys AI in Canada to Protect Minor Users Online
Google has announced plans to deploy machine-learning systems in Canada to identify users under the age of 18 and apply youth privacy protection settings. According to Google's official blog, the system will assess a user's age based on existing account signals, such as search history and YouTube viewing history.
The algorithms will not collect new data for this purpose, said Jeanette Patell, Google Canada Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy. She emphasized that responsibility for determining users' ages should lie with the owners of each service, developers, publishers, and app creators.
If a user is identified as a minor, their account will be automatically set to restrict access to certain features, including the 'Timeline' feature in Google Maps and personalized advertising. Downloads of apps with adult ratings on Google Play will also be restricted, while YouTube will send automatic reminders to take breaks.
Users who are incorrectly classified as minors can appeal the decision by submitting a selfie or a government-issued photo ID.