ChatGPT Uses Age Checks to Limit Minors’ Access
▼ Summary
– ChatGPT predicts a user’s age by analyzing behavioral signals, account details, and usage patterns.
– It applies additional content restrictions for users estimated to be under 18, blocking material like graphic violence or self-harm depictions.
– Adult users incorrectly flagged as minors can regain full access by verifying their age with a selfie.
– The age prediction system is launching globally but is delayed in the EU to meet regional requirements.
– These safeguards follow legal and legislative scrutiny over ChatGPT’s potential harm to minors.
To better protect younger users, OpenAI is implementing new age verification systems for its popular ChatGPT service. These measures aim to identify and restrict access for minors, limiting their exposure to potentially harmful material. The move follows increased scrutiny over the platform’s impact on young people, including legal and legislative discussions concerning teen safety online.
The system functions by analyzing a combination of user data and behavioral signals. It assesses factors like the age a user provides upon sign-up, the account’s creation date, typical activity times, and long-term usage habits. Based on this analysis, ChatGPT will estimate whether a user is likely under 18 years old. For those flagged as minors, the platform will then apply additional content filters. These safeguards are designed to block or limit access to several categories of sensitive material.
The restricted content includes depictions of graphic violence or gore, as well as viral online challenges that might encourage dangerous behavior. The filters will also target sexual or violent role-play scenarios and any content depicting or promoting self-harm. Furthermore, the system aims to shield young users from material that promotes extreme beauty standards, unhealthy dieting practices, or body shaming.
OpenAI acknowledges that the automated age prediction might sometimes be incorrect, mistakenly placing an adult into the restricted experience. For these users, a process is available to regain full access. Adults can verify their age by submitting a photo of themselves, which the system will analyze to confirm they are over 18. The age estimation feature is currently being launched worldwide, though its deployment in the European Union is temporarily delayed. OpenAI states the EU rollout will occur in the coming weeks to ensure compliance with specific regional regulations, such as those under the GDPR.
This introduction of proactive age checks and enhanced safeguards arrives after a period of significant public concern. ChatGPT was recently named in a lawsuit related to a teen suicide, alleging the chatbot provided harmful content. Additionally, a U.S. Senate subcommittee held hearings examining the potential risks that AI chatbots pose to children and adolescents. These events have heightened the pressure on AI companies to demonstrate responsible stewardship and implement stronger protective measures for younger audiences.
(Source: The Verge)
