YouTube stops removing videos with disinformation about US elections

YouTube will no longer remove videos spreading disinformation about the US elections. The company states that being able to discuss political ideas, even if the facts are not correct, is ‘crucial for a well-functioning democracy’.

YouTube writes that it had ‘carefully’ considered this change. The company says it has removed tens of thousands of videos with disinformation about the US elections since 2020, but states that the ‘landscape’ has changed in the meantime. “In the current climate, we believe that while removing such content may go some way to limiting disinformation, it may also have the unintended effect of restricting political expression without significantly reducing the risk of violence or other forms of real harm .”

Therefore, from now on, videos that make false claims of widespread fraud, errors or glitches related to the 2020 election or other previous US elections will no longer be removed, YouTube said. However, videos containing such misinformation are less likely to be recommended to other users. Videos that mislead other voters about the time, location, means or requirements to vote will continue to be removed. This also applies to claims ‘that could materially discourage voting’. As an example, YouTube cites claims that mail-in votes are not valid. Finally, statements that ‘incite others to interfere with the democratic process’ are also not permitted on the video platform.