INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
YouTube videos may be getting a bit more pernicious soon
Google's dominant video platform has spent years removing discriminatory and conspiracy content from its platform in accordance with its
usage guidelines, but the site is now reportedly adopting a lighter-touch approach to moderation
A higher bar for content removal will allow more potentially inflammatory content to remain up in the "public interest."YouTube has
previously attracted the ire of conservatives for its removal of QAnon and anti-vaccine content
According to The New York Times, YouTube's content moderators have been provided with new guidelines and training on how to handle the
deluge of provocative content on the platform
The changes urge reviewers to pull back on removing certain videos, a continuation of a trend not just at YouTube, but on numerous platforms
that host user-created content.Beginning late last year, YouTube began informing moderators they should err on the side of caution when
removing videos that are in the public interest
That includes user uploads that discuss issues like elections, race, gender, sexuality, abortion, immigration, and censorship
Previously, YouTube's policy told moderators to remove videos if one-quarter or more of the content violated policies
Now, the exception cutoff has been increased to half
In addition, staff are now told to bring issues to managers if they are uncertain rather than removing the content themselves."Recognizing
that the definition of 'public interest' is always evolving, we update our guidance for these exceptions to reflect the new types of
discussion we see on the platform today," YouTube's Nicole Bell told the Times
"Our goal remains the same: to protect free expression on YouTube while mitigating egregious harm."
