Latest news with #misogyny
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
YouTube profits from Andrew Tate content despite banning him from platform
YouTube still profits from Andrew Tate, despite banning him from their platform, new research has revealed. The Center for Countering Digital Hate has found that videos of the self-described misogynist are still amassing millions of views on YouTube, where they feature profit-generating adverts and are easily accessible to viewers as young as 13 years old. Tate, who currently faces multiple charges for rape and human trafficking in the UK, continues to be propelled by guest appearances on podcasts and fan-made videos on the platform despite being banned since 2022. The organisation identified that 100 of the most-viewed YouTube videos of the manosphere influencer, which promoted misogyny and were posted over the last year, racked up a total of nearly 54 million views. Two-thirds of these videos were made by Andrew Tate 'fan accounts'. Over half of these videos violated YouTube's policies on hate speech, and nearly a third violated YouTube's policies while carrying adverts from big brands, the research said. All of these videos were accessible to viewers aged 13 and over in the UK and US, while 98 of them were viewable to those of the same age group in Ireland and Germany. These clips were made widely accessible as YouTube had auto-translated captions into multiple languages for 97 of them. Researchers found both in-stream and in-feed adverts from big brands such as Hyundai and Olay served next to or on videos, which featured Tate promoting misogynistic claims and breaching the video-sharing platform's hate speech guidelines. This is despite YouTube's policy that channels seeking monetisation follow platform Community Guidelines, including policies on hate speech. In one video, where Tate said of women 'You want her to submit - become someone she wants to follow. You want her loyalty - build a life she doesn't want to lose', an advert from Lavazza featured in-feed, as a thumbnail next to video content. While in-stream adverts play before, during or after videos and can be skipped, in-feed video adverts appear as thumbnails next to video content. There is no suggestion brands agreed to have their advertisements displayed next to content featuring Tate. YouTube originally banned Tate from the platform after his content was found in violation of its policies. Researchers found that 58 of the videos surveyed clearly violated the hate speech policy, which stipulates that they won't allow 'content that promotes violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on [...] attributes' such as sex or gender, including slurs and stereotypes. While the remaining videos didn't violate the guidelines, they did all include overt misogyny, the organisation said. Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, warned that YouTube had created a system that profits off Tate's 'dangerous persona while benefitting from the illusion that his content is banned' despite recognising that the controversial figure consistently violates their own rules. 'The platform does not appear to be taking action to address this predictable tactic for keeping Tate's misogynistic messaging in the limelight and in the feeds of 13-year-old kids. Instead, YouTube is reportedly rolling back content moderation policies, making the platform even less safe for its users.' He called on UK and EU regulators to intervene and hold tech giants accountable as they 'knowingly profit from the spread of hate and harm.' A YouTube spokesperson told The Independent: 'Andrew Tate's channels were terminated in 2022. Since then, we've removed hundreds of thousands of videos and terminated thousands of channels that have attempted to circumvent that original decision. 'But as with all terminated users, not all content that features Andrew Tate will be removed. Only 11 videos from the CCDH report were shared with us to review - the majority have been removed for violating our Terms of Service, and we've terminated a number of the featured channels.' Andrew and his brother Tristan have denied a total of 21 charges of rape and human trafficking between them authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service. A European arrest warrant was issued for the brothers in 2024, but ongoing criminal matters in Romania have taken priority. The pair are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
YouTube profits from Andrew Tate content despite banning him from platform
YouTube still profits from Andrew Tate, despite banning him from their platform, new research has revealed. The Center for Countering Digital Hate has found that videos of the self-described misogynist are still amassing millions of views on YouTube, where they feature profit-generating adverts and are easily accessible to viewers as young as 13 years old. Tate, who currently faces multiple charges for rape and human trafficking in the UK, continues to be propelled by guest appearances on podcasts and fan-made videos on the platform despite being banned since 2022. The organisation identified that 100 of the most-viewed YouTube videos of the manosphere influencer, which promoted misogyny and were posted over the last year, racked up a total of nearly 54 million views. Two-thirds of these videos were made by Andrew Tate 'fan accounts'. Over half of these videos violated YouTube's policies on hate speech, and nearly a third violated YouTube's policies while carrying adverts from big brands, the research said. All of these videos were accessible to viewers aged 13 and over in the UK and US, while 98 of them were viewable to those of the same age group in Ireland and Germany. These clips were made widely accessible as YouTube had auto-translated captions into multiple languages for 97 of them. Researchers found both in-stream and in-feed adverts from big brands such as Hyundai and Olay served next to or on videos, which featured Tate promoting misogynistic claims and breaching the video-sharing platform's hate speech guidelines. This is despite YouTube's policy that channels seeking monetisation follow platform Community Guidelines, including policies on hate speech. In one video, where Tate said of women 'You want her to submit - become someone she wants to follow. You want her loyalty - build a life she doesn't want to lose', an advert from Lavazza featured in-feed, as a thumbnail next to video content. While in-stream adverts play before, during or after videos and can be skipped, in-feed video adverts appear as thumbnails next to video content. There is no suggestion brands agreed to have their advertisements displayed next to content featuring Tate. YouTube originally banned Tate from the platform after his content was found in violation of its policies. Researchers found that 58 of the videos surveyed clearly violated the hate speech policy, which stipulates that they won't allow 'content that promotes violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on [...] attributes' such as sex or gender, including slurs and stereotypes. While the remaining videos didn't violate the guidelines, they did all include overt misogyny, the organisation said. Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, warned that YouTube had created a system that profits off Tate's 'dangerous persona while benefitting from the illusion that his content is banned' despite recognising that the controversial figure consistently violates their own rules. 'The platform does not appear to be taking action to address this predictable tactic for keeping Tate's misogynistic messaging in the limelight and in the feeds of 13-year-old kids. Instead, YouTube is reportedly rolling back content moderation policies, making the platform even less safe for its users.' He called on UK and EU regulators to intervene and hold tech giants accountable as they 'knowingly profit from the spread of hate and harm.' A YouTube spokesperson told The Independen t: 'Andrew Tate's channels were terminated in 2022. Since then, we've removed hundreds of thousands of videos and terminated thousands of channels that have attempted to circumvent that original decision. 'But as with all terminated users, not all content that features Andrew Tate will be removed. Only 11 videos from the CCDH report were shared with us to review - the majority have been removed for violating our Terms of Service, and we've terminated a number of the featured channels.' Andrew and his brother Tristan have denied a total of 21 charges of rape and human trafficking between them authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service. A European arrest warrant was issued for the brothers in 2024, but ongoing criminal matters in Romania have taken priority.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
'Choking porn' to be BANNED by Labour under new measures outlawing 'any act of strangulation' on sick sex sites
All pornography showing strangulation and choking will be banned within months, Labour has announced. Laws will be brought in to criminalise 'pornography depicting any act of strangulation'. It comes amid growing concern over the act being normalised in adult movies, and the effect it is having on young adults' sex lives. Legal changes will be made as an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which is currently going through Parliament, meaning the ban is expected to be in force by the end of the year. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'Depicting strangulation during sex is not only dangerous, but also degrading, with real life consequences for women. 'Cracking down on the appalling rise of strangulation pornography will protect women and send a clear signal to men and boys that misogyny will not be tolerated.' A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) source said young people may be unaware of the long-term harm strangulation can have. The Government's Independent Porn Review, led by Baroness Gabby Bertin, found that pornographers had effectively established choking as a 'sexual norm'. The review, published in February, said: 'Non-fatal strangulation pornography (commonly known as 'choking' in pornography) should be illegal to possess, distribute, and publish.' It added: 'Non-fatal strangulation or 'choking' sex is perhaps the starkest example of where online violent pornography has changed 'offline' behaviour. ''Choking' sex is now being normalised with a survey showing 38 per cent of women aged 18-39 have been choked during sex. 'So-called 'choking' content, where there is external pressure on the neck, is rife on platforms that host pornography and is a very popular category of content. 'The review has evidence to show the influence that media sources, including pornography, have had in establishing choking as a sexual norm. An official review found 'so-called 'choking' content, where there is external pressure on the neck, is rife on platforms that host pornography' and called for it to be banned 'People acting it out in their sex lives may face devastating consequences. 'Evidence shows that even a small amount of pressure to the neck can harm the brain, and there is no safe way to strangle a person.' The MoJ spokesman said they were unable to say how the new law would operate, particularly because a large amount of online pornography is on overseas-based websites. But Baroness Bertin's review suggested the Government should amend the Obscene Publications Act 1959 so it 'captures this type of content, so it cannot be published or distributed'. Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: 'We welcome the government's decision to criminalise the depiction of strangulation in pornography. 'There is no such thing as safe strangulation. Women cannot consent to the long-term harm it can cause, including impaired cognitive functioning and memory. 'Its widespread portrayal in porn is fuelling dangerous behaviours, particularly among young people.' She added: 'This is a vital step towards recognising the role violent pornography plays in shaping attitudes to women and regulating an industry which promotes and profits from violence against women.' Details of how the ban will work are due to be published at a later date.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Channel Nine star slams Aussie podcasters with a huge following after they posted a 'gross and misogynistic video' about the NRLW
Channel Nine identity Marlee Silva has slammed popular Aussie podcasters Jon-Bernard and Nick Kairouz after the brothers recently posted a video where they questioned the relevance of the NRLW competition. After first discussing the soon to be released rugby league video game by Big Ant Studios on July 26, attention soon turned to whether the code should also incorporate women's stars. And it quickly took a dark turn. 'Big question the WNRL (sic) going to be in the game,' Nick Kairouz asked. 'I feel like that would be a waste of money,' he continued. 'It's a waste of the budget,' Jon-Bernard Kairouz responded with. The Sydney based brothers then moved onto the player rankings the game will provide - before mocking Queensland Origin veteran Ali Brigginshaw plus Parramatta Eels forward Kennedy Cherrington. Steady criticism has followed from the likes of Channel 9's Silva, Fox League's Lara Pitt and NSW Blues women's star Abbi Church. The daughter of Roosters and Bulldogs legend Rod Silva wasn't finished yet, posting on her own Instagram page about the divisive clip which she labelled 'really gross and misogynistic' Silva was the most vocal, posting a response to the clip publicly to the Kairouz brothers on Instagram. 'Such a boring way to tell us you've run out of content ideas lads,' she said. 'Not an NRLW fan? All good. The girls will continue to flourish and positively impact our game regardless - just stop and think of the ways this rubbish impacts your young male audience.' The daughter of Roosters and Bulldogs legend Rod Silva wasn't finished yet, posting on her own Instagram page. 'That is a really gross and misogynistic video,' she began. 'I usually just let videos like this go, but I remembered that they reach so many young impressionable men and that's really dangerous. 'Being rewarded with lots of likes and follows for expressing your it very attractive to young people who want to do what you do....(who will then potentially) mimic the misogyny and develop the attitudes you have towards women, in everyday life.' They brothers also courted controversy online when they recently ridiculed NSW Blues star Isabelle Kelly for failing to ground the ball when attempting to score a try in a women's Origin game. Daily Mail Australia reached out to Jon-Bernard Kairouz for comment. The comedian first rose to prominence on social media during Sydney's Covid lockdowns when he accurately 'predicted' the daily case numbers. He became known as 'the TikTok numbers guy' after repeatedly revealing the NSW Covid tally hours before then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in 2021.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sharing deepfake pornography 'the next sexual violence epidemic facing schools'
Sharing deepfake pornography is "the next sexual violence epidemic" facing schools, the author of a book on the spread of online misogyny has told MPs. Appearing before the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), Laura Bates said there needs to be statutory guidance for teachers on how to deal with this "very significant issue". She said in every UK case she has investigated, schools have "paid thousands of pounds hiring PR firms to focus on damage reputation management". However, in terms of supporting girls and taking action against the perpetrators, "nothing has happened". She said of deepfake pornography: "It is happening, it's significant. Female teachers are affected, which often goes unnoticed, and schools are just not equipped to tackle it. "My suggestion would be this is the next big sexual violence epidemic facing schools and people don't even know it is going on." Deepfakes are pictures, videos or audio clips made with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to look or sound real. While it is illegal to create or share a sexually explicit image of a child, including a deepfake, the technology for making them remains legal. Asked what more could be done to help schools tackle the issue, Ms Bates said in the cases she is aware of "police investigations are ongoing" . However, she said she is not suggesting criminalisation of underage boys is the solution and what is needed is education, prevention and regulation. "It shouldn't be the case that a 12-year-old boy can easily and freely access tools to create these forms of content in the first place," she said. Ms Bates is the founder of the Everyday Sexism project and author of: The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny. She also called for "very clear guidance" on how schools should respond to this challenge. She warned of a repeat of failings that have happened previously with intimate image abuse, where girls have been "coerced into sending images of themselves" then punished for taking the image once it has been shared around - but the person spreading the image has not. Calls to ban 'nudifying apps' A government spokesperson told Sky News: "We are reviewing the relationships, sex and health curriculum to look at all modern-day challenges facing children, including that of deepfake porn, and work to ensure children are taught how to build positive, healthy relationships in an age-appropriate way." It comes amid mounting concern among MPs and experts , with many wanting the government to go further with its regulations on big tech firms. Read More: In April, a report by the Children's Commissioner for England found that nudifying apps are disproportionately targeting girls and young women, with many appearing to work only on female bodies. The commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, called for an immediate ban on apps that use AI to create naked images of children, saying "there is no positive reason for these to exist". Inquiry into the 'manosphere' Ms Bates appeared in front of the WEC as part of their inquiry into how the "manosphere" and other online content is fuelling misogyny. The cross-party group has previously heard how the rise of misogyny in young men in particular is not only affecting female pupils but also female staff, with sexual harassment towards teachers described as "rife". On Wednesday's session, the committee also heard concerns around the rise of the "sex tech industry", including robots and AI girlfriends, with fears this is having a wider impact on attitudes towards women and girls. Sarah Owen, the Labour chair of the WEC, told Sky News she could not pre-empt what recommendations would be made to the government. But she said there was huge concern around the online radicalisation of young men, adding: "It was a boiling hot room but my blood ran cold at what I was hearing."
