TechLinked Podcast Summary
Episode: YouTube Profanity Update, Age Check Rollouts, Gaming Trends Report + More!
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Host: Linus Media Group

YouTube’s Profanity Policy Update

Timestamp: [00:30]

In the latest update, YouTube has revised its ad-friendly content guidelines concerning the use of profanity. Host B explains, “Strong profanity in the first seven seconds is now eligible to earn full ad revenue” ([00:30]). This marks a significant shift from the policy introduced two and a half years ago, which previously demonetized videos starting with non-approved language. The change came after considerable backlash, leading YouTube to allow limited ad revenue on such content once again.

Furthermore, B points out an inconsistency between YouTube’s tweet and their support article: while the tweet claims strong profanity is acceptable, the support article clarifies that only moderate profanity is permissible, with stronger language risking revenue loss. This ambiguity has sparked confusion among creators, with B humorously noting, “I should have sworn the intro. It would have been so cool,” reflecting on the impact of the policy on popular reaction videos ([01:17]).

YouTube’s Age Estimation Technology Rollout

Timestamp: [01:22]

YouTube is expanding its age estimation technology to a broader user base in the United States, following successful implementations in other markets without significant issues. Starting August 13th, if YouTube’s algorithms determine a user is likely under 18, several protective measures will activate. These include displaying only non-personalized ads, enabling "take a break" and bedtime reminders, and limiting the recommendation of potentially problematic videos.

B elaborates, “No Skibidi under 18 creators will also have their ability to earn gifts restricted on vertical live streams” ([01:22]). Additionally, users can dispute age estimations by providing a credit card or government ID, allowing for greater privacy preservation. However, the rollout has raised concerns about privacy and the rapid spread of age checks across platforms, likened to fleeting internet slang trends.

Age Verification Across Platforms

Timestamp: [02:10]

The conversation shifts to Google adopting similar age assurance measures for a subset of US-based accounts, paralleling YouTube’s approach. In Australia, the government has intensified its stance by nullifying exemptions for YouTube in the country’s social media bans. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that by December, accounts for users under 16 will be illegal, a move that has been met with skepticism by host B, who humorously questions Australia’s expertise: “Should we really trust Australia with this when they can't even get an Orbital class rocket to stay in the air for more than 14 seconds?” ([02:50]).

Spotify has also joined the fray, threatening to delete UK users’ accounts if they fail age verification tests. This brings to light broader privacy concerns, especially with multiple age verification services collecting sensitive information like selfies and government IDs. The discussion highlights the precarious balance between safety measures and privacy rights, especially in the wake of recent data breaches in similar apps.

IGN’s 2025 Gaming Trends Report

Timestamp: [04:00]

Transitioning to gaming, the podcast delves into IGN’s comprehensive 2025 Gaming Trends Report. A key insight is the shifting identity among younger gamers: Gen Z and Gen Alpha prefer identifying as players of specific games (e.g., Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft) rather than associating with traditional platforms like Xbox or PlayStation. Host B remarks, “Gen Z and Gen Alpha tend to see themselves less as gamers and more as players of a specific game” ([05:10]).

This trend aligns with executives' desires, as platforms like Roblox have seen a surge in daily concurrent users, particularly with the viral success of user-generated games like "Grow a Garden." The report also highlights that 93% of Gen Alpha prefer mobile gaming, a preference driven by practicality as parents often reclaim shared devices like TVs. Additionally, both Gen Z and Alpha expect instant access to content, mirroring broader digital consumption trends.

New Hardware and AI Tool Developments

Timestamp: [07:30]

The podcast touches on significant hardware releases:

• AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and 9970.X: These new processors have garnered positive reviews from enthusiasts, offering substantial improvements in performance and efficiency. Host B notes, “Overall it seems like enthusiasts are pretty happy with them as they deliver a solid jump in both performance and efficiency over their predecessors” ([07:30]).

• Micron’s 9650 NVME SSD: Marketed as the world’s first actual PCIe Gen 6 SSD, this high-capacity storage solution (up to 30.72 TB) targets server applications rather than standard desktops. The host humorously admits unfamiliarity with the form factors, “I only just heard about today” ([08:15]).

On the software front, AI tools have seen meaningful updates:

• Adobe Photoshop Beta: Introduces AI upscaling to unblur old photos and a new "Harmonize" feature that allows realistic alterations of lighting, shadows, and colors, facilitating the addition of people and objects to images.

• ChatGPT’s Study Mode: Enhances the user experience by walking users through the thinking process rather than merely providing answers, making it especially beneficial for educational purposes.

Quirky Tech News

Timestamp: [09:30]

In a lighter segment, the podcast shares intriguing scientific findings and corporate updates:

• Peacock Feathers as Lasers: A group of international researchers discovered that when peacock feathers are coated and energized with a light source, they can emit photons at laser wavelengths. While amusingly exaggerated, Host B clarifies, “Peacocks aren't about to become pompous, strutting avian weapons platforms” ([09:50]).

• Microsoft’s Smurfs-Themed Surface Laptops: Microsoft has released a limited edition of 100 Surface laptops in collaboration with the new Smurfs movie. Although Host B expresses confusion over the marketing strategy, he underscores the quirky nature of such partnerships: “Microsoft made a hundred special editions of their newest Surface laptop to go along with the new Smurfs movie” ([10:20]).

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with Host B encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more tech news in the following episodes, despite the lighthearted frustrations expressed throughout the discussion.

Notable Quotes:

• “Strong profanity in the first seven seconds is now eligible to earn full ad revenue.” — Host B ([00:30])

• “Gen Z and Gen Alpha tend to see themselves less as gamers and more as players of a specific game.” — Host B ([05:10])

• “Peacocks aren't about to become pompous, strutting avian weapons platforms.” — Host B ([09:50])

This episode of TechLinked offers a comprehensive overview of recent developments in YouTube’s content policies, the expansion of age verification across major platforms, evolving gaming trends among younger generations, and the latest advancements in hardware and AI tools. Additionally, it provides entertaining snippets of quirky tech news, ensuring listeners are well-informed and engaged with the rapidly changing tech landscape.