YouTube announced Tuesday the official rollout of its likeness detection technology to eligible creators within the YouTube Partner Program, following a successful pilot phase. The new system allows creators to request the removal of AI-generated content that incorporates their digital likeness, including their face and voice.
A YouTube spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that this constitutes the initial phase of the deployment, with eligible creators receiving notification emails. The technology is engineered to identify and manage AI-generated content that features a creator's distinct visual and auditory characteristics.
The primary objective of this technology is to mitigate the misuse of creator likenesses, which has included unauthorized endorsements of products or services and the proliferation of misinformation. Documented instances of such misuse include the company Elecrow utilizing an AI-cloned voice of YouTuber Jeff Geerling to promote its offerings.
Instructions for utilizing the technology were provided by YouTube on its Creator Insider channel. The onboarding process requires creators to access a "Likeness" tab, agree to data processing terms, and use a smartphone to scan a QR code for identity verification. This verification necessitates a photo ID and a brief selfie video.
Once granted access, creators can review all detected videos and proceed with submitting a removal request, filing a copyright request, or archiving the content, in accordance with YouTube's established privacy guidelines. Creators also retain the option to opt out of the service at any time, which will cease video scanning within 24 hours.
The likeness detection technology has undergone a pilot phase earlier this year. YouTube initially disclosed its partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) last year to assist celebrities, athletes, and creators in identifying AI-generated content using their likeness. Furthermore, YouTube expressed its support in April for the NO FAKES ACT, a proposed legislation aimed at addressing AI-generated replicas that imitate individuals' images or voices for deceptive or harmful purposes.
