YouTube loosens content rules, says freedom of expression can outweigh harm—controversial videos may return

YouTube Relaxes Moderation Rules
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YouTube has updated its moderation policies, allowing videos that previously would have been removed, if they are considered to be in the 'public interest,' as per a report. This shift in content moderation is similar to Meta's recent moves to relax its content policies, according to TechSpot.According to The New York Times, the Google-owned platform has rolled out new guidelines and training for its content reviewers, encouraging them to leave up content that might technically break YouTube's rules, especially if the material touches on topics like elections, race, gender, sexuality, abortion, immigration, or censorship.Before the update, videos were typically taken down if 25% or more of the content violated policy and now that threshold has doubled to 50%, as per the report. Moderators are also instructed to check in with their managers for borderline cases, instead of removing the content immediately, as per TechSpot.ALSO READ: Internet goes wild over mysterious bulges in Trump's suit — catheter, leg braces, or just bad tailoring? YouTube explained the change builds on an earlier policy adjustment made ahead of the 2024 US election, which allowed certain rule-breaking political content to remain online under the platform's "educational, documentary, scientific, and artistic" (EDSA) exemption, according to the report.One example cited by The New York Times of videos that are now allowed following the policy change is a video titled "RFK Jr. Delivers SLEDGEHAMMER Blows to Gene-Altering JABS", as per TechSpot. Previously flagged for medical misinformation, it's now allowed under the argument that its public interest value outweighs the potential harm, according to the report.However, YouTube emphasised that the new change would only apply to a small fraction of videos that are published on the platform and pointed out that its introduction ensures that important content remains available, as per TechSpot. The online video-sharing platform cited an example of the exceptions preventing "an hours-long news podcast from being removed for showing one short clip of violence," reported TechSpot.YouTube says it wants to better protect discussions that matter to the public, even if some parts of those discussions break the rules.Videos on politics, gender, race, and even controversial health claims may stay up if deemed to serve public interest.

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