YouTube has started requiring documents from Belarusians to verify their age. What's happening?

When attempting to open age-restricted videos, many users encounter a new window prompting them to upload their passport, driver's license, or even a selfie. Without this, the video will not play.

YouTube explains this is for security and age verification purposes. However, for Belarusian users, the situation appears concerning: transmitting scans of documents and photos always carries a risk of data leakage, and amidst increasing fraud, this feels like yet another barrier to accessing regular content.

What to do now: - If the video can be found on other platforms, watch it there without uploading documents. - Minimize the transmission of personal data: do not send your passport simply "for the sake of viewing."

YouTube calls this protection, but in reality, users are once again faced with a choice – privacy or access.