ChatGPT will introduce age verification for users in EU countries in the near future
OpenAI is starting to implement an age verification mechanism for all ChatGPT users, and in the countries of the European Union the new rules will come into effect in the near future. This is reported by Le Figaro.
To determine whether the owner of an account is a minor, ChatGPT will use an age prediction system similar to the one used by Discord. To do this, artificial intelligence will analyze various factors, including the topics discussed by the user, as well as the time of day when he enters the chat.
If the system determines that the account may belong to a minor, the platform will automatically impose restrictions on use. Certain topics will also be handled with increased caution to avoid access to potentially dangerous or sensitive content.
OpenAI includes in this category materials depicting violence, content that may encourage risky or dangerous actions, promotes sexual, romantic or violent role-playing games, demonstrates extreme beauty standards, encourages unhealthy eating, or contains humiliation of appearance.
Adult users will have the opportunity to confirm their age through facial recognition – by taking a video selfie or uploading a copy of an identification document. OpenAI said such documents will be deleted seven days after the review is complete.
The changes come as more countries prepare legislation to regulate artificial intelligence and limit children’s access to social media.
Chatbots have been at the center of scandals over reports of generating sexualized images of children and women. Among the platforms mentioned in such cases was Grok, which is associated with Elon Musk. In this regard, in January, the British regulator Ofcom launched an investigation into the X platform. It also became known that on February 3, the British government initiated a separate investigation into Grok.
Against this background, a number of states have already announced their intentions to introduce a ban on social networks for children. In particular, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently announced such a decision.
