YouTube launches likeness-detection for Partner Program creators

YouTube this week began rolling out a likeness detection tool to verified creators in its YouTube Partner Program that scans the platform for AI generated videos that use a creator’s face or voice without permission and lets creators request removal. The feature, which completed months of pilot testing, is initially available to eligible, monetized channels and will expand to more Partner Program members over the coming months, the company said.

Creators enroll through a new Likeness tab in YouTube Studio. The onboarding requires identity verification: users scan a QR code to reach a secure page, submit a government issued photo ID and record a short selfie video performing specified motions. YouTube processes that data on Google servers, builds reference models of a creator’s face and voice, and then continuously compares newly uploaded videos against those models. When the system flags likely matches, creators see a dashboard that lists titles, upload dates, channels, view counts and priority scores for review.

Once a match appears, creators have three response options. They can request removal under YouTube’s privacy guidelines, submit a copyright claim if appropriate, or...