YouTube has expanded its policies regarding medical misinformation to include guidelines banning vaccine misinformation. YouTube, a Google-owned video platform, had previously banned more than 1 million videos that spread dangerous COVID-19 misinformation. YouTube now says it will remove misinformation that spreads about vaccine safety, vaccine efficacy, and vaccine ingredients. YouTube had previously blocked misinformation regarding coronavirus vaccines. However, it is updating its policies to block misinformation about routine immunizations like Hepatitis B and measles. Additionally, false statements are being made about vaccines that have been confirmed safe by local authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The U.S. COVID-19 vaccination rate slows, approximately 55% of Americans are fully vaccinated. However, these numbers are higher in countries like Canada or the United Kingdom where 71% and 67% have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, President Biden pointed out that vaccine misinformation is spreading via social media platforms. To encourage Americans to get vaccinated, the White House even hired Olivia Rodrigo and other rising stars.
YouTube has now adopted the Facebook guidelines. In February, Facebook expanded its criteria for removing false information about vaccines. Twitter bans misleading COVID-19 information, labels and tweets that may be misleading using AI and human effort. Twitter suspended Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia representative, after she claimed vaccines and masks don't reduce COVID-19 spread.
YouTube's new guidelines for content are broken by videos that claim vaccines cause side-effects such as cancer and diabetes. Videos that claim vaccines have devices that track who is inoculated. Videos that assert vaccines are part a depopulation agenda. YouTube will notify the user if they remove content that is in violation of these guidelines. YouTube states that if it is the first time a user violates community guidelines, they will likely receive a warning without any penalty. YouTube will issue a warning if the user violates community guidelines for the first time. A channel that receives three strikes within 90 days is considered terminated. YouTube will also remove several channels that are associated with anti-vaccine figures such as Joseph Mercola Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
YouTube posted in a blog that there are some important exceptions to the new guidelines. YouTube will allow content on vaccine policies, new vaccine trials and past vaccine failures to continue to be allowed because we believe that public discussion is vital to scientific progress.
YouTube will allow users to share their experiences with vaccines. However, YouTube can remove any content that promotes vaccine hesitancy. YouTube stated that these guidelines will be in effect immediately, but it would take some time for the enforcement to become fully effective.
