Now ChatGPT is Implementing "Age Verification"
If they suspect you are under 18, you have to prove you are not!
From the AI website:
“How age prediction works
“To decide when to turn on these settings, ChatGPT uses an age prediction system. It looks at different signals linked to your account. For example, it may look at general topics you talk about or the times of day you use ChatGPT.
“No system is perfect. Sometimes we may get it wrong. If you are 18 or older and you were put into the under-18 experience by mistake, you can verify your age.”
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Read the details here: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/12652064-age-prediction-in-chatgpt?utm_campaign=utm_campaign&utm_content=utm_content&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid&utm_term=utm_term
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What you will have to do if they “mistakenly” think you are under 18:
They use a 3rd party called Persona to help verify age, so the following very personal information will be collected and stored forever (and quite possibly shared or sold to others):
What you may be asked for
Depending on your country, Persona may ask for one or both of these:
Live selfie: Use your phone or webcam to take a real-time photo of your face.
Government ID: Upload a photo of a government-issued ID (for example, a driver’s license, passport, or state ID). Persona checks your date of birth and that your selfie matches your ID photo. Accepted IDs vary by country.
Is it really worth giving up so much to use ChatGPT? There are other tools that are free and anonymous that you should consider:
https://venice.ai/chat
According to Venice:
Several AI and tech platforms are implementing or considering age verification systems, though their approaches vary. Here’s a breakdown based on current information:
OpenAI (ChatGPT): As of January 20, 2026, OpenAI rolled out an age prediction feature for ChatGPT consumer plans. It uses behavioral signals (e.g., usage patterns, account age, times of day) to estimate if a user is under 18 and applies restrictions accordingly. Users flagged as underage can appeal by uploading a selfie for verification5,8.
Meta (Instagram/Facebook): Meta is introducing AgeKey, a system developed with K-ID, starting in 2026 in the UK, Australia, and Brazil—regions with existing or developing age-verification laws. This represents a broader push for social media age checks3.
Google (YouTube/Gemini): Google uses machine learning to estimate user age based on platform interactions, particularly for YouTube. For Google Workspace for Education, Gemini is available to learners of all ages under institutional policies without parental consent4,6.
Microsoft (Copilot): In educational settings, Copilot is accessible to students aged 13+ via institutional accounts with enterprise-grade data protection. Access is managed by administrators, and no parental consent is required for school-managed accounts4.
Character.ai: This platform has a ban on teenage users but relies more on content filters than strict age enforcement. Details on verification methods (e.g., ID checks) are unclear, and experts note that workarounds like VPNs or alternative accounts may undermine the ban2.
TikTok and Roblox: Both use AI-driven age estimation. TikTok employs machine learning to infer age from user behavior, while Roblox has faced challenges with inaccurate age categorization affecting user interactions6,8.
Regulatory Context: Over 50% of adults support age verification for AI services and chatbots, and there’s growing state-level pressure on companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google to implement stricter barriers for minors
By 2026, age verification is becoming a default layer across much of the consumer internet, driven by laws like the UK’s Online Safety Act
In summary, while OpenAI’s move is notable, it’s part of a broader industry trend. Meta, Google, Microsoft, and others are deploying AI-based or institutional age checks, though effectiveness varies—some systems are easily bypassed, and privacy concerns persist2,6,9. If you’re curious about a specific platform not listed here, let me know and I can dig further.