I checked the release notes before updating. They highlighted an “Ambient Music widget” and “8 new emojis,” but made zero mention of age verification. Now, unless I hand over a photo of my driving licence or a credit card, my device is locked in 'child mode.'
So yes, I genuinely feel that it was forced on me. Now, unless I agree to upload a photo of my driving licence or a credit card, I am locked in a 'child mode.' I am stuck on a phone that I already suspected didn't really belong to me even after I bought it, but I didn't want that reality confirmed.