YouTube extends similarity detection to basically everyone

YouTube is expanding its AI similarity detection capabilities beyond some creators and celebrities. The platform plans to open the tool to all eligible users over the age of 18 in the coming weeks.

In an announcement post on its creator forum, YouTube noted that the feature is designed to help users detect and manage AI-generated videos that depict their faces without permission. The tool will be available in YouTube Studio and uses a one-time facial verification process to identify “altered or synthetic” uses of a person’s likeness across YouTube. The process requires uploading a government ID and recording a short selfie video.

Once enrolled, users can see where their face may have appeared in AI-generated videos and request the removal of content that violates YouTube’s privacy guidelines. YouTube says the system is intended to prevent viewers from being misled by deepfakes masquerading as real people.

This expansion comes after AI likeness detection was previously rolled out for journalists, politicians, government officials, and entertainment figures. The Vergethere are virtually no strict requirements for what counts as a “creator” eligible to use the tool.

This feature currently only covers facial similarities and not AI-generated voice clones. YouTube says removal requests will continue to be reviewed based on its privacy policy. Users who choose similarity detection can also later exit the program and request that their facial data be deleted.

How do I use YouTube’s AI similarity detection feature?

YouTube says AI similarity detection will be rolled out to all users 18 and older “in stages over the coming weeks.” When it’s available, you can use it in YouTube Studio from your computer by following these steps.

• From the menu on the left, Content Detection > Similarity > Start Now.
• Allows YouTube to use similarity detection technology.
• The one-time verification process will take a few minutes to complete.