YouTube is expanding its AI deepfake detection tool to all creators 18 and older, letting them flag videos that misuse their likeness. The platform first previewed the tool in 2024 and rolled it out to monetized creators in late 2025, but now anyone 18-plus can access it. Spokesperson Jack Malon said the goal is to provide users with more peace of mind by giving them easy access to request removal of unauthorized content.

Setting up the tool requires enrolling through YouTube Studio on a computer, then scanning a QR code with a phone, submitting a government ID, and completing a selfie video verification. Once active, YouTube scans uploaded videos for facial matches, and potential hits appear under the "Likeness" tab in Content detection. Creators can submit removal requests and note whether a video also copied their voice, though the tool can't detect voice misuse alone.

The expansion matters as AI-generated content becomes harder to distinguish from authentic material. Creators gain leverage against brands using their likenesses without permission, while ordinary people who unexpectedly find their faces in malicious AI videos also get a way to fight back.