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AI Chatbot Claude to Require Selfie and ID for Age Verification from July 8

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • AI company Anthropic will require users to verify their age with a live selfie and ID starting July 8 to prevent minors from using its chatbot Claude.
  • The verification process involves comparing a live selfie with an official ID, with data handled by a specialized partner company.
  • This stricter age verification follows previous methods and comes amid rising legal concerns in the US over AI chatbots potentially inciting harmful actions in children, and as Europe's AI Act is implemented.

AI chatbot Claude will soon require users to verify their age with a live selfie and an official ID. Anthropic, the company behind Claude, is implementing this measure starting July 8 to ensure only adults use the system, as it is intended for users aged 18 and over.

The system is actually only accessible to people over 18 years old and Anthropic, the company behind Claude, will monitor this condition more strictly from July 8.

— VRT NWSReporting on Anthropic's new age verification policy for Claude.

The verification process will involve users taking a live selfie while holding their identification document. This image will be compared with a scan of their ID to confirm their age. Anthropic states that data collected will be handled by a partner specializing in verification and will not be used to train AI models, except in cases of account disputes.

This new policy is an escalation from previous age checks, which included using linked Google account ages or screening conversations for age indicators. The company's move comes as reports emerge of accounts being suddenly blocked, potentially disrupting users, especially during exam periods. Officially, Claude has always been intended for adults, as Anthropic aims for responsible AI use and has not specifically trained the system on content for minors.

The data are collected by a partner company specializing in verification. Anthropic will only have access to the information if a user appeals against the termination of an account and says it will not use the data to train AI models.

— VRT NWSExplaining the data handling process for age verification.

Concerns about the legal ramifications of AI chatbot interactions are growing, with several lawsuits filed in the US by parents alleging that chatbots have prompted harmful actions in their children. In Europe, the AI Act is being rolled out, aiming to protect users from issues like deepfakes and behavioral manipulation, with a specific focus on safeguarding minors.

In the United States, several lawsuits have already been filed by parents who found that the chatbots had incited their children to harmful actions.

— VRT NWSHighlighting legal concerns surrounding AI chatbot use by minors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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