In a recently published blog post (via), YouTube said that it will remove videos that claim vaccines lead to unproven chronic side effects. However, there are exemptions for videos discussing vaccine side effects that have been identified by health officials. Also banned are videos that say vaccines don’t reduce chances of contraction or transmission of diseases, and content that inaccurately describe the vaccine’s ingredients. However, YouTube acknowledged that it will allow videos that discuss policies, vaccine trials, and “historical vaccine successes or failures.”
Social media platforms have long been a breeding ground for misinformation
YouTube will allow scientific discussions on vaccines and personal vaccination experiences. However, YouTube will closely monitor such content, especially from people with a history of furthering vaccine misinformation on the platform. Speaking to The Washington Post, YouTube said that it will remove channels with links to prominent anti-vaccine activists such as Joseph Mercola and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. When asked why it couldn’t remove anti-vaccine content sooner, the company said it was focusing primarily on COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. YouTube isn’t alone in combatting misinformation on its platform. Facebook is also dealing with a similar concern, although it banned all vaccine misinformation content in February this year. YouTube has removed over a million COVID-19 misinformation videos since the onset of the pandemic last year. In April this year, YouTube came up with a new series of PSAs as part of Google’s campaign to increase vaccine confidence among the 18-34 age group. Corporations were somewhat late to act upon the rampant COVID-19 misinformation on their platforms. However, YouTube’s move to remove all vaccine misinformation could likely trigger a domino effect among other social media platforms. In December, Google announced the refining of its search results to provide users the best info on COVID-19 vaccines. The search giant also allowed offered information on approved vaccines in their regions. It also added an information panel near YouTube videos that mention or discuss COVID-19.
