YouTube removes over 1 million videos for COVID misinformation

As per details, YouTube Wednesday said in a blog post that it relies on “expert consensus from health organizations,” including the US Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, but noted that, in some cases, “misinformation is less clear-cut” as new facts emerge.

Chief product officer Neal Mohan wrote, “Our policies center on the removal of any videos that can directly lead to egregious real world harm”.

“Since February of 2020, we’ve removed over one million videos related to dangerous coronavirus information, like false cures or claims of a hoax,” he added.

Mohan further added that the platform currently removes close to 10 million videos per quarter and that the majority of them have been watched less than 10 times.

“Speedy removals will always be important but we know they’re not nearly enough… The most important thing we can do is increase the good and decrease the bad,” he said.

As per company, in the midst of a global pandemic, everyone should be armed with absolutely the best information available to keep themselves and their families safe.

The statement comes as social media platforms are under fire from political leaders for failing to stem the spread of false and harmful misinformation and disinformation about the virus and other topics.

Meanwhile, YouTube also removed “thousands” of videos for violating election misinformation policies since the US vote in November, with three-fourths removed before hitting 100 views.