YouTube has announced that it will no longer remove content that makes false claims about the 2020 US presidential election. The decision is a significant departure from the platform’s previous policy, which aimed to curb false claims about the election’s validity, especially those perpetuated by former President Donald Trump. The Google-owned video-sharing website updated its policy in a blog post, stating that the ability to debate controversial political ideas is crucial in a democratic society, particularly during the election season. The updated policy is effective immediately.
Why the Policy Change?
Tech platforms are struggling to combat misinformation while preserving free speech in America’s highly polarized political environment. YouTube acknowledged that removing false content has its downsides. The platform stated that after two years, tens of thousands of video removals, and one election cycle, it was time to re-evaluate the policy in today’s changing landscape. According to YouTube, removing false content may curb some misinformation, but it could also unintentionally restrict political speech without meaningfully reducing the risk of violence or real-world harm.
Criticism of YouTube’s Decision
Anti-misinformation advocates criticized YouTube’s decision to stop removing misleading content about the US presidential election. Nora Benavidez, from the nonpartisan group Free Press, argued that YouTube was wrong in its assertion that removing false election content curtails political speech without meaningfully reducing real-world harms. She went on to say that the platform’s dangerous decision to allow content that sows hate and disinformation that threatens democracy must be reversed immediately.
YouTube’s Existing Rules against Election Misinformation
YouTube has emphasized that its other existing rules against election misinformation remain unchanged. For example, the platform prohibits content that deceives voters or incites people to interfere with democratic processes. YouTube was one of the last major social media platforms to keep in place a policy trying to curb 2020 election misinformation. According to Julie Millican, vice president of left-leaning watchdog Media Matters, YouTube has taken the easy way out by allowing people like Donald Trump and his supporters to lie about the 2020 elections without consequence.
YouTube’s decision to stop removing content that makes false claims about the 2020 US presidential election has sparked criticism from anti-misinformation advocates. Although YouTube acknowledged that removing false content has its downsides, critics argue that this decision could allow disinformation to spread, threatening democracy. However, YouTube has emphasized that its other existing rules against election misinformation remain unchanged.
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