YouTube stops removing fake presidential election claims

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By Webdesk


YouTube is reversing its policy on misleading election information. As of today, YouTube will stop removing content that “advises false claims that widespread fraud, error or glitches occurred in the 2020 and other previous US presidential elections,” according to a blog post published on Friday.

YouTube says that “the ability to openly debate political ideas, even those that are controversial or based on disproved assumptions, is at the heart of a functioning democratic society — especially in the midst of election season.” YouTube first introduced its election misinformation policy in December 2020, barring users from posting content that spread false claims about the integrity of US elections. The platform says it has removed “thousands” of videos since the policy was implemented.

In the current environment, we find that while removing this content curbs some disinformation, it may also have the unintended effect of curtailing political expression without meaningfully reducing the risk of violence or other real harm. . “As with any update to our policy, we have carefully considered this change.”

Despite the policy reversal, YouTube says it will continue to enforce rules that prevent users from discouraging others from participating in an election. It will also take action against content that aims to mislead users about the time, place or requirements for voting, as well as content that challenges the validity of postal votes. In addition, YouTube says it still prominently displays content from “authoritative sources” in search results and recommendations.



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