YouTube has expanded access to its AI-powered likeness detection system, allowing all users above the age of 18 to monitor and report AI-generated deepfake videos that use their faces without permission.
The feature works by allowing users to upload a selfie-style facial scan, which YouTube then uses to search for potentially manipulated or synthetic videos across the platform. If a match is detected, users receive an alert and can request removal of the content.
The company said the expansion marks a major step in giving ordinary users the same protections previously reserved for public figures, politicians, journalists, and creators.
“With this expansion, we’re making clear that whether creators have been uploading to YouTube for a decade or are just starting, they’ll have access to the same level of protection,” YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon was quoted as saying by The Verge.
The likeness detection system was first introduced in October 2025 and operates similarly to YouTube’s Content ID technology, but instead of scanning for copyrighted material, it searches for a user’s facial likeness.
Users can access the feature through YouTube Studio by navigating to the Content Detection section and selecting the “Likeness” option.
YouTube cautioned that the system may also surface legitimate videos featuring a user’s real face, including clips from their own uploads, which may not qualify for removal under platform policies.
