Meta to Use AI Age Estimation via Height and Bone Structure Analysis
On Tuesday, Meta announced plans to use AI to analyze visual traits like height and bone structure in images and videos to identify users under 13, aiming to remove underage accounts from Facebook and Instagram. This approach avoids facial recognition, focusing instead on general visual cues, alongside text and user interactions. Although it’s already being tested in certain areas, Meta plans to roll it out further. Accounts flagged as potentially underage will be suspended until users verify their age. This announcement follows a New Mexico jury's ruling that ordered Meta to pay $375 million for misleading child safety claims. Meanwhile, Meta is also expanding its Teen Accounts feature with stricter privacy measures across 27 EU countries and Brazil, plus on Facebook in the U.S., U.K., and EU by June.
Key facts
- Meta will use AI to analyze height and bone structure from photos and videos to estimate user age.
- The system is not facial recognition; it looks at general visual cues.
- The AI combines visual insights with text and interaction analysis to identify underage accounts.
- The system is currently operating in select countries with plans for broader rollout.
- Meta will deactivate accounts suspected of being under 13; users must verify age to avoid deletion.
- A New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for misleading consumers about child safety.
- Meta threatened to shut down its services in New Mexico over the ruling.
- Meta is expanding Teen Accounts to 27 EU countries and Brazil on Instagram, and to Facebook in the U.S., U.K., and EU by June.
Entities
Institutions
- Meta
- TechCrunch
Locations
- New Mexico
- United States
- European Union
- Brazil
- United Kingdom