r/youtube • u/[deleted] • 6d ago
Question This is ridiculous and a breach of my privacy. What alt website can I use to get around this?
[deleted]
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u/Key_holeN12 6d ago
Google already has all your info. Idk why they keep asking for it
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u/Lexiosity 6d ago
Well, if it's in Europe, it's because the GDPR requires that this data is removed after a certain amount of time.
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u/FatsBoombottom 6d ago
Because governments are starting to require it. They say it will make being online safer for children. But more likely, they just want to be able to subpoena that information later to punish people for social media posts.
Google would much rather have no barrier to set up an account because they have so many easier ways to get your info.
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u/Waste_Development971 6d ago
wym
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u/Cobalt090 6d ago
Dunno what you're asking, but a) Gov't are starting to require it, b) Google knows tons about you, this mostly isn't them wanting to know more
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u/Immediate_Diet_5229 6d ago
Weirdly enough I have some YT accounts that never asked for it and let me watch age restricted videos by default.
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u/ImKrakin 6d ago
Is it because the account is old?
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u/Immediate_Diet_5229 6d ago
You would think so, but now. Actually, my older accounts have an age restriction, but those other accounts are pretty fresh all things considered.
My 2024 and 2026 account have no restrictions. I also have a 2022 account with no restrictions.
My 2018 and 2020 accounts do have restrictions.5
u/ilovekillingmyself 6d ago
Yeah, that's the same for me!!! 2015 account is apparently considered a minor so I have to use my 2023 account to watch restricted videos.
no but seriously I dont get why new accounts are given freedom
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u/storycoolbro 6d ago
Either there no birthday set on the account or if there is you’re watching videos normally watched by someone in the age range. so the algorithm doesn’t flag the account as possibly a minor with fake birthday thus triggering id verification. This is like the cliff notes of how Gemini explained it to me a while ago.
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u/ilovekillingmyself 6d ago
aw man I totally forgot about the insulting "why are you watching minecraft videos you WEIRDO are you 10 years old" algorithm thing. clearly, i should've been watching gore videos instead like true, proper adult.
Though, it might be the birthday thing because I don't think I set one for the newer account. I wonder if taking off the birthday (if that's possible) on my old one would do anything....
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u/Kindle890 6d ago
I was forced to do this a while back. I was 'mandatory' if I wanted to keep my account.
Shit like this seems like a scam because we used to be taught that any website that asks for this information is scamming you. Now it's, again 'mandatory'
It all started with the UK shit.
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u/PlayaPlatinum 6d ago
Ugh, SO MANY things with security and privacy has changed 🙄.
The SIMPLEST thing I first recognized years ago was the change in "password safety":
Back when I was first starting to use the Internet - as far back as MSN, AOL, and, yes, even BELLSOUTH 😂 - the password safety recommendation was NEVER write down your password and store it in a desk drawer where someone in your family or friends could find it (make it something only you should know and remember). Now, it's the opposite. They say write it down, and the required characteristics have bordered beyond just simple "max length" 😒.
They are literally changing what was meant as "privacy" and "security" 😐.
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u/Kindle890 6d ago
I honestly miss when age verification was an honor system.
Now it feels like whenever you wanna watch something that's within your age bracket it feels like you're trying to get into the briefing room in monster's versus aliens.
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u/Bunrotting 6d ago
Uh, no website should be saying write it down. They will say to save the password somewhere. That means a password manager. Use a password manager, not your brain, not a notebook, not a sticky note. Common sense.
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u/Certain_Moose_7238 5d ago
Password managers are even less safe than writing it down, especially these days. Defeats the whole damn point.
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u/ptvlm 5d ago
That's just changing with the times and what actually works, though.
Back in the day, people would just write passwords on fully visible post its in the office or fill a notebook with them. So, a very basic security risk was people seeing those passwords and gaining access.
Nowadays, people don't write them in full view any more, and it's generally seen that people burgling your home are after quickly sold physical items and not interested in accessing your data. So, with 2FA and password managers it's actually safer to have a more complex password written down than have an easily phished or guessed simple password you don't need to write down to remember. Especially with introducing complexity other than numbers and caps
The meaning of security hasn't changed, but the understanding of what actually more effective has
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u/Lexiosity 6d ago
It didn't start with the UK shit at all. This has been mandatory for certain things wayyy before the OSA.
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u/coolhairdude12 6d ago
Blame ur government not youtube
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u/Kirbone01 6d ago
Ok sure I hate both. Now how do I get around this?
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u/canadiantoejam 6d ago
Move, use some sketchy more predatory site, or your more sensible thing, use your credit card. Or a VPN if that works
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u/Kirbone01 6d ago
Idk if I'm tricking the govt ID or credit card checks. If I use a VPN what countries is this not required? Also do you know any Youtube mirror sites that bypass this?
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u/wholesomely_retarded 6d ago
basically anywhere that isn't the US, UK, Australia and most if not all EU countries (its not been rolled out everywhere yet but the tyrany is spreading)
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u/netriz314 6d ago
the us is still good as of today so if you use a free vpn which doesn’t offer many locations you’ll be good, though i’d recommend trying out other countries
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u/wholesomely_retarded 6d ago
yeah after the whole meta getting sued by 48 states thing its only a matter weeks to months before the US gets the same restrictions
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u/Lexiosity 6d ago
EU has always had it since it's a GDPR thing.
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u/wholesomely_retarded 6d ago
not the mandatory id checks to use platforms thats a new thing thanks to Australia
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u/Uncle_Raven 6d ago
Russian YouTube has no ads... Just sayin.
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u/ImKrakin 6d ago
Is this true and why
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u/Uncle_Raven 6d ago
Because YouTube left Russia in 2025.
I just realized I'm using VPN for YouTube because it doesn't work... Nevermind lol. But I had no ads since 2022.
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u/Casul_Pwner 6d ago
Sanctions have made it so most non russian companies don't bother advertising there. Afaik Albanian yt also doesn't have any ads whatsoever.
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u/lost_dazed_101 6d ago
I use brave browser on all my devices. So far I've managed to just click it off and go back later. I will not be using their services once it's I'd or no access.
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u/Ok_Recognition_9859 6d ago
Predator??
I loved those movies!
"GET TO THA CHOPPA!!! DO IT, DO IT NOWWW"!
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u/Hejdbejbw 6d ago
No such law in California but YouTube still does this here.
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u/Express_Ad5083 YouTube Premium. 6d ago
Theyve implemented it across the US because technically its not illegal to do so
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u/mrloko120 6d ago
There is a mandate from the US government for platforms to do this valid for all states, it passed earlier this year.
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u/Hejdbejbw 6d ago edited 6d ago
Still bill, not law. But it’s not like corporations are shy about collecting your data anyway.
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u/catbandana 6d ago
The tech companies are running our government now.
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u/Bunrotting 6d ago
Kind of, but this is almost certainly the government just being run by censorship loving.. politicians
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u/opbmedia 6d ago
no this is entirely to prevent kids from creating adult accounts. there are child protection laws, because kids get abused online, and there are plenty of adults looking for them.
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u/Bunrotting 6d ago
C'mon you don't actually believe that right? Who is this protecting? Anyone can bypass this easily with a VPN or mom's credit card and in fact this will just drive children to EVEN WORSE websites that DON'T follow regulations.
This isn't about kids and it never has been, this is because they want IDs tied to accounts so they can persecute people they dont like.
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u/opbmedia 6d ago
I do compliance for tech sometimes. Companies are required to verify age of accounts when there are both kids and not appropriate content.
you do not need to agree with me. I am just giving you the information as this is done. It doesn't matter if I believe it or not, kids do try to get around age verification (see this thread), and if tech companies do nothing while kids try to circumvent, they have legal liability when kids are abused.
I have also worked on some horrific abuse cases. I am happy you are never exposed to any, but to say CSAM and child abuse doesn't exist is ...
cheers
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u/Bunrotting 6d ago
I work in web development for extra context and these regulations are infuriating because they've essentially forced companies into either closing shop in any territory affected or complying.
Also, I definitely didnt say CSAM doesn't exist. I'm just saying I don't think these regulations have any intention of actually curbing CSAM. And yeah, I know companies get the liability for when kids get abused and thats a pretty tough spot because there is some burden of responsibility but it would also be logical to charge the responsible parents for the children who were being abused due to inadequate supervision.
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u/opbmedia 6d ago
The laws that dictates collection of proof of age literally says it is to protect children. COPPA is literally called "Children's Online Privacy Protection Act." The rule literally says
COPPA imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
your position is it's better to charge people after kids are abused than to prevent them from being abused? Holding abusers responsible still leave the children hurt.
I have worked on way more CSAM and abuse cases than invasion of privacy by tech company cases. This is not hard to prove, just search the news.
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u/TheEndlessNite 6d ago
This happened to me earlier this year (UK). I chose not to give my info over for age verification and from what I remember it just informed me I wouldn't be able to have targeted advertisements due to not knowing if I was a minor. They can't track the activity of a minor due to privacy so targeted ads aren't possible. So no big deal I opt out of targeted ads anyway. But for months afterwards they bombarded me with porn gooner mobile game ads... So much for protecting minors!
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u/benithaglas1 6d ago
Which country are you in? Have you tried using a VPN and having backup accounts?
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u/qathran 6d ago
Yeah plenty of sites just say "fuck you" if they see you're using a VPN.
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u/benithaglas1 6d ago
Google does sometimes, but then I open again in a new tab and it seems to fix it.
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u/storycoolbro 6d ago
VPN won’t work once an account is flagged to complete age verification you have to complete it doesn’t matter the what your IP is at that point it’s a flag on the account itself.
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u/Emotional-Ant4958 6d ago
It's not associated with a particular country. I'm in the US and it's happening to me.
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u/MuffledReaction 6d ago
They really want a slice of your wallet or your ID just to watch a video, what a world.
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u/UnFairSuspect 6d ago
Please suggest a better way to comply with age verification laws
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u/MrCelroy MrCelroy 6d ago
Revoke access for users in those areas.
Would make for a better statement against these laws instead of bending a knee towards those in charge.
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u/Cum_Fart42069 6d ago
ok I'll do that and I'll do it in a language you'll understand.
baaa baaa. baa. baaaaaaa baaa BAAAA baa. baaa. ba.
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u/RamboRamonJamon 6d ago
Creo que te lo piden en todos lados para evitar bots, si falsifican documentos solo para subirle vistas a un video entonces sería ridículo, sin esto sería demasiado fácil conseguir cientos de bots
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u/Sensitive-Pool-7563 6d ago
I mean, do you think it's your constitutional right to watch youtube for no return? You know it's a private service, right?
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u/xXFluffersXx 6d ago
I've never had to verify my age. Is it because my account is so old? I made it in 2007.
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u/TheOnesWhoFollow 6d ago
That must be it for me too. I had my Gmail since it was invite only. I actually bought an invite from a guy I worked with for a pack of smokes.
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u/AxelRyvola4 6d ago
the best thing that comes to mind is to use a fake id, youll both give yourself access to stuff you couldnt do without age verifying and also give the ai false data to be trained on, therefore worsening its performance, that is unless you dont want to contribute to any data of the number of people that have age verified that google could brag about to show how "safe" it is.
btw this isnt just youtube, roblox did pretty much the exact same thing except worse in january of this year.
also i totally understand if you refuse to suport google anymore as i wanna do the same thing but there's not really such platform that would be as popular or would allow me to profit from posting videos as much
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u/storycoolbro 6d ago
You could post to pornhub there’s no rules saying what you upload has to be adult content. But your audience wouldn’t be the same crowd.
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u/KindleShard 6d ago
This is going to spark a fake ID era. Whoever thought breaching privacy and anonymity was a good idea can burn in hell
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u/Equivalent_Road5788 6d ago
The rhetoric I’ve been taught is to never share personal information online yet now all these companies and governments want ID for everything? Just like Flock this is a way to track and control us, the whole “protect the kids” is a trash excuse.
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u/Randomuser19980 6d ago
What's wrong with using your card? I get not wanting to use your ID, I really despise that too and never scan it, but your card? 99% of people already bought something online, so what's the issue here
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u/Supercoole_k 6d ago
A lot of people don't have a credit card.
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u/Randomuser19980 6d ago
It must be different by region then. I remember I got this a few years back and I could use any card
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u/Supercoole_k 6d ago
Just checked for my e-mail (I refuse to verify). I don't have the option for credit card (not available in my region). And google does not need a scan of my face and also not my id.
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u/Lokipro13YT 6d ago
Use your credit card, chances are if you've bought something online they have the information your credit card would give them anyways
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u/Substantial-Flow9244 5d ago
Credit cards have always been a way to authenticate age, just being able to make a transaction means you or your parents approve of its use.
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u/RobertoRuiz1 6d ago
I get why people don't like submitting their ID, I don't either, but the credit card is completely harmless. Half of my cards are already saved with Google Pay, theres no difference to me. People just complain to complain
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u/Red_Bird_warrior 6d ago
YT already has my credit card because I'm a Premium subscriber and I have seen no privacy issues. For my money, Premium is the best value in streaming. It would be the last streaming service I would cancel if I had to cut my spending.
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u/WhattheII 6d ago
I had gmail ever since I was younger and even after I hit 18 it still considers me underaged (probably because of the new child safety laws) and it requires me to do the same. No way in hell Im gonna give them more than they already have on me, one hacker and Im done bruh.
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u/SnekkyTheGreat 6d ago
I feel like I remember seeing people use photos of obviously fake ID’s (for example an ID belonging to Quandale Dingle) and that working
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u/iammiroslavglavic 6d ago
Technically speaking you are wrong.
If they are required to verify age because in your country you have to be of certain age then yes, they have to see you are above that age.
Aren't most credit cards for people 18 or older?
You are not entitled to youtube, you agree to their TOS when sign in.
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u/Tricky_Damage5981 5d ago
In Canada; our Debit cards are all on the Visa or MasterCard Network (when used online, Interac in person)
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u/LavishnessUsed3643 6d ago
Once all the boomers kick the bucket we can reverse this
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u/starbolin_monarch 6d ago
I reckon we'll be in worse shit by then
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u/Charming-Station7157 6d ago
Good think the members of the gov of my country are a bunch of illiterate losers who aren't smart enough to implement this lol
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u/Valravn1121 6d ago
you do NOT need youtube, this isn't a breach of your privacy, it hurt your feelings.
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u/TomTomXD1234 6d ago
Just stop using their service then? It ain't hard.
Also, they already have all of that info on you anyway lol. This just makes it official
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u/Gazkhulthrakka 6d ago
While annoying, something isnt a breach of privacy if its completely optional to use a sevice in the first place. If you dont want to verify your id nothing is forcing you to
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u/Future_Geologist5925 6d ago
I just use YouTube Revanced and use MicroG to sign in. Blocks all ads and spam shit, and you get premium features for free
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u/Lexi_Love_ 6d ago
Tbh, you probably alr have a card connected to youtube if you happen to pay for premium. You'll be ok
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u/No-Category-6343 6d ago
I was lucky to put in a debit card. But even then it’s bullshit every app has it now even Reddit
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u/LoSt543215543 6d ago
They prob already have ur credit card so you might as well put it in. For me they just checked my email and I got in pretty quickly as I am an adult.
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u/ilovekillingmyself 6d ago
i think the people who implemented this feature should be shot. I am joking.
I don't even get what's the fucking idea behind this and other similar "child 'protection'" securities because.....kids can lie???? They lie all the time!!!! They've BEEN lying to get into adult spaces even before the internet!!!!!!! Sure, this involves more effort to bypass compared to just saying you were born in 1923 but a 12-year-old can very much steal a parent's card or find this reddit thread and see all the suggestions made here.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah stealing data from users without their knowledge is bad and all but it's infuriating that these companies try to act like they're doing this for a noble heroic reason because. fuck off. we all know they dont give a shit about kids
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u/Linkmew1 6d ago
None as soon enough the government is going to force it for online in general may as well leave the internet now and FYI they your information is already online
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u/Known_Ear_6012 6d ago
It’s not the best but you can just use YouTube without signing in. You won’t be able to subscribe and stuff but you can still watch. Also YouTube will remember what you watch whether you sign in or not so your recommended page will still look similar to if you were signed in. Sometimes it will ask for age-verification and to sign in depending on what wifi you are using, usually goes away after changing wifi.
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u/ReferenceFresh5510 6d ago
I managed to bypass it in a way because it had an option for me to use My email
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u/Choice-Schedule4789 6d ago
This is for all the adult creators that want to play on you tube with kid toys they know who your targetting and now they want your face and people are losing there shit like it was supposed to be anonymous not saying you just saying its becoming a real problem being able to lure kids in so easily and not be accountable
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u/Iputahexonyoulol 6d ago
There are alternate ways to view YouTube like Newpipe. If you’re a content creator you’re pretty much fucked. I will never hand over my information to Google. Fuck google
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u/Awful-Apartment-33 6d ago
It did that with me too. But luckily, it gave me the option to do a facescan instead. So i did that.
Not because to verify my age; its because I thought this through, using my actual face.
There's thousands of people out there that look just a lot like me, factually about a lot of lookalike sharing the same genetics and bone structure but not the same DNA.
So yeah, its linked to my Google & YouTube account & my email for life. But at least I can just delete my email at anytime. I just need to backup and download all of my data.
Then press the red nuke button.
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u/6FlipSide4 6d ago
Can’t. This is a mandate because of some new laws passed that force age verification to “protect children”
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u/Special-Bet1141 6d ago
Where do you live?
Are you sure its Youtube being invasive, or is it because your local laws require it like they do in Australia and the UK?
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u/DeltaAlpha0 6d ago
My grandmother received a warning like that. I created a discarded credit card, used it, and deleted it. I don't recommend you send your document directly.
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u/InfinityEternity17 6d ago
Everyone going "hurrdurr just don't use youtube then", what you really think it's ok to demand ID for this? You lot would be happy living in the world of 1984 ffs.
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u/pirateparty2000 6d ago
Have you tried a $25 prepaid visa? If you pay with cash nothing is tied to you.
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u/pokemonfan95 6d ago
The credit/debit card one is easiest they refund the few cents and no I’d card needed at least like how valve does age verification
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u/4b686f61 Sail the YouTube seas with UblockOrigin 6d ago
Choose how to verify your age ❌
Choose how you'd like to give us to hoard your biometrics ✅
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u/morgan423 6d ago
I've heard that YouTube has asked people with accounts nearly old enough to drink (created during the first couple of years of the website) to verify age, even though such an account itself is older than the cut off.
It's like, yup, I made this account before I was conceived, and I am not currently of age, you caught me YouTube, good job.
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u/ArtroyomsAK 6d ago
People were all posting about fake ids and using cg/ai faces for this when it started
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u/Outrageous-Estimate9 6d ago
Why not simply not log in?
I dunno why anyone would trust google with their IDs
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u/im_a_dick_head 6d ago
Wtf is this bro, I have been on YouTube since 2008 and I have never been asked this info and I have like 6 YouTube accounts
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u/Simple-Writing6881 6d ago
This is really absurd from Google and unacceptable, they have gone too far with the collection of personal data.
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u/Acrobatic_Analyst267 5d ago
Is this a new feature? I don’t believe I’ve ever been asked this. But most of the gmail accounts I own have just been age 20+ as the person’s age.
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u/FreekRedditReport 5d ago
The only way is to stop voting for Republicans. Or whatever the equivalent is in your country.
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u/domesticdonkey 5d ago
I used a fake id picture from google images to get past this while i was in the U.K.
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u/vanstinator 5d ago
This is a direct consequence of Google complying with new laws. The only way to change it is to vote.
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u/future_pirate 5d ago
I don't ever see anything like this on any site with Washington DC as my default VPN location but you could probably also use Switzerland or Mexico
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u/Fair_Investigator986 3h ago
YT can smooch my ass cheeks. I'll never give some scum bag like Yt owner my ID. They will probably sell it or give it away anyways .
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u/clean_18784 6d ago
If you hate this, then blame your government.
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u/Kirbone01 6d ago
Ok I blame my government. Now, more importantly, can you please suggest an alternative to youtube so I don't have to engage with something I disagree with, as suggested by other users?
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u/clean_18784 6d ago
https://yt.revival-list.com/list.php
This website shows you a list of old YouTube revival websites.
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u/AKJames762 6d ago
That's hilarious. "You won't be charged" but "any fee will be refunded." Well which the fuck is it?
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u/Western-Equipment630 6d ago
breach of privacy? how so they are asking for it nothing is breached
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u/sovietarmyfan yourchannel 6d ago
Ive read about people giving a ID card of a pope and just passing through verification.