The video platform YouTube tightened after criticizing their actions against insults and harassment. "We will no longer tolerate content that maliciously insults other people because of their ethnicity, physical characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, or belonging to a protected group," the Google subsidiary said in a blog post. This applies to all people - "whether for individuals, YouTube creators or public officials."
"Harassment on YouTube harms our community," writes YouTube, "because it scares users and prevents many from expressing their opinions openly and getting in touch with each other."
YouTube points out that in the third quarter of this year over 16 million comments have been removed, which would have clearly violated the previous guidelines. It also emphasizes that people have always been against videos "that openly threaten individuals, divulge personal information about them or incite others to harass others."
However, the company still wants to go one step further, they say, and not only prevent open threats, but also "veiled or indirect threats". As an example, YouTube mentions "content that simulates violence against a person or a language that threatens potential physical violence."
No more money through clicks
Anyone who repeatedly violates the stricter anti-harassment policy should be exempted from the YouTube Partner Program in the future: anyone who can not earn money on YouTube will then be able to do so, writes YouTube. As a possible sanctions but also the removal of videos or termination for the entire channel in the room.
The change of the guidelines, which refers expressly to videos, but also to user comments, follows a debate of months. Among other things, a case from the USA caused a stir. The homosexual journalist Carlos Maza, a Latino, has been repeatedly attacked by a conservative comedian - in terms of his sexual orientation and his ethnic background.
YouTube initially stated that statements made by comedian Steven Crowder did not violate the guidelines. After criticizing this decision Crowder YouTube channel then lost the opportunity to advertise. With the new rules, some of the videos from Crowder's Youtube channel are likely to be deleted.
With software against the worst postings
In its approach to problematic content on its platform YouTube relies on both messages from its users and moderation, as well as technology. So the company points to a system that is supposed to filter out the really malicious comments "without preventing any negative or critical comments".
The video makers came to positive feedback, writes YouTube. Against this background, the feature was enabled by default on the largest channels last week, which according to the company are also the most widely used comment areas of the platform. By the end of the year, the function will now be activated "for almost all channels". Video makers could deactivate them if desired.
