YouTube Changes Guidelines on Disinformation: Allows False Claims of Fraud in U.S. Elections

Two years after YouTube started working to combat disinformation, the video platform wants to change its guidelines. In the future “no more content will be removed that makes false claims of fraud, error, or interference in the 2020 presidential election and other past U.S. elections.”

The US company said on its official blog that after two years and tens of thousands of deleted videos, it was time to re-evaluate the impact of this policy in the current changing landscape. While deleting the content “only disinformation” curbs, it can do it too “have the unintended effect of restricting political expression”, according to YouTube.

The updated guideline is therefore effective immediately. However, other rules remain, including the prohibition of content that could mislead voters or entice people to disrupt democratic processes.

The decision was immediately met with criticism. The independent organization Free Press asked YouTube for the “dangerous decision” withdraw immediately. The online platform would “completely wrong” stuck with his justification in favor of freedom of expression. On the contrary, hate and misinformation threaten “our democracy” in an increasingly polarized political landscape, according to Free Press.