YouTube has announced that it will stop removing content that may spread false claims related to the US presidential elections in 2020 and before. The move is part of the platform’s misinformation policy for elections, which will take effect immediately. YouTube stated that while removing such content helps curb some misinformation, it might also have the unintended consequence of limiting political expression.
Other Policies Will Remain in Place
YouTube also confirmed that its policies against hate speech, harassment, and incitement to violence would remain in place for all user content, including election-related content. The proliferation of disinformation on social media platforms has raised concerns about how these platforms enforce their policies against misleading content about elections.
Twitter and Facebook Also Facing Similar Issues
In addition to YouTube, other social media platforms like Twitter and Meta Platform’s Facebook have also seen a rise in disinformation related to elections. In March, YouTube lifted restrictions on former US President Donald Trump’s channel, following a more than two-year suspension after the Capitol Hill riot on January 6, 2021. YouTube explained that they evaluated the risk of real-world violence while balancing the need for voters to hear equally from major national candidates in the run-up to an election.
FTC Orders Social Media and Video Streaming Firms to Screen for Misleading Advertisements
In March, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued orders to eight social media and video streaming firms, including Meta Platforms, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube, seeking information on how these platforms screen for misleading advertisements. The orders were issued as part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to combat deceptive and misleading advertisements.
YouTube’s decision to allow false claims related to the US presidential elections is part of the platform’s effort to balance the need for free speech with the need to curb misinformation. While this decision may raise concerns about the spread of disinformation on the platform, YouTube has confirmed that its policies against hate speech, harassment, and incitement to violence will remain in place for all user content, including election-related content. The proliferation of disinformation on social media platforms has also raised concerns about how these platforms enforce their policies against misleading content about elections, and the FTC has ordered several social media and video streaming firms to provide information about how they screen for misleading advertisements.
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