YouTube retreats on 2020 election ‘misinformation’ in a major way.

YouTube Reverses Policy on Election Integrity Claims

After more than two years of limiting discussion on the integrity of the 2020 election, YouTube has reversed its policy. The video platform had banned most claims of irregularities in the election, including those of fraud or error. However, the company has now removed tens of thousands of videos and promised to provide more information on how it will handle videos related to the upcoming 2024 election. YouTube stated that leaving the previous policy in place could curtail political speech without meaningfully reducing the risk of violence or other real-world harm.

“Today we are announcing a new set of updates on YouTube to address and protect our community — providing a home for open discussion and debate during the ongoing election season.”

YouTube has not provided specifics on how it came to this decision, but the change exemplifies a Big Tech company “wrestling with how to balance curbing misinformation with freedom of speech ahead of the 2024 election,” according to Axios. Forbes noted that Twitter and Facebook had recently reinstated the accounts of former President Donald Trump, who has made claims of election fraud a central part of his public messaging since November 2020.

YouTube’s Election Misinformation Policies

• Claims that widespread fraud, errors, or glitches changed the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election are not allowed on YouTube.
• YouTube will remove any content uploaded today (or anytime after) that falsely alleges widespread fraud or errors changed the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election.
• Content that advances false claims that widespread fraud, errors, or glitches changed the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election is not allowed on YouTube.
• YouTube may allow content discussing the 2020 US presidential election results, including the process for certifying results, in cases where that discussion does not aim to incite violence or fraudulently manipulate the outcome of the election.

YouTube’s statement on the policy change is available in full on its website. The company has stressed that other portions of its “election misinformation policies” will remain unchanged, at least for the time being.

YouTube Backs Down in a Big Way on 2020 Election ‘Misinformation’

When we craft our policies, we always keep two goals in mind: protecting our community, and providing a home for open discussion and debate. These goals are sometimes in tension with each other, and there is perhaps no area where striking a balance is more complex than political speech. The ability to openly debate political ideas, even those that are controversial or based on disproven assumptions, is core to a functioning democratic society–especially in the midst of election season.

YouTube has announced a major change in its policy regarding the removal of content that promotes false claims about the 2020 US Presidential election. The platform will no longer remove such content, recognizing that while it may curb some misinformation, it could also have the unintended effect of curtailing political speech without meaningfully reducing the risk of violence or other real-world harm. This change goes into effect immediately.

This specific aspect of our elections misinformation policy represents just one piece of a broad, holistic approach towards supporting elections on YouTube. Here’s what isn’t changing:

YouTube will continue to ensure that authoritative sources are prominently displayed in search and recommendations when users search for news and information about elections. The platform’s election misinformation policies, which disallow content that aims to mislead voters about the time, place, means, or eligibility requirements for voting, false claims that could materially discourage voting, and content that encourages others to interfere with democratic processes, will remain in place. Additionally, policies against hate speech, harassment, and incitement to violence will continue to apply to everyone on YouTube, for all types of content, including elections.

YouTube recognizes the importance of the integrity of the democratic process and will remain vigilant as the election unfolds. The platform has an elections-focused team monitoring real-time developments and making adjustments to its strategy as needed. More details about YouTube’s approach towards the 2024 election will be shared in the coming months.

What You Need to Know

• YouTube will no longer remove content that promotes false claims about the 2020 US Presidential election.
• The platform will continue to ensure that authoritative sources are prominently displayed in search and recommendations when users search for news and information about elections.
• YouTube’s election misinformation policies, which disallow content that aims to mislead voters about the time, place, means, or eligibility requirements for voting, false claims that could materially discourage voting, and content that encourages others to interfere with democratic processes, will remain in place.
• Policies against hate speech, harassment, and incitement to violence will continue to apply to everyone on YouTube, for all types of content, including elections.
• YouTube has an elections-focused team monitoring real-time developments and making adjustments to its strategy as needed.

YouTube’s decision to change its policy regarding the removal of content that promotes false claims about the 2020 US Presidential election is a significant one. The platform recognizes the importance of political speech and the ability to openly debate political ideas, even those that are controversial or based on disproven assumptions, in a functioning democratic society. By ensuring that authoritative sources are prominently displayed in search and recommendations when users search for news and information about elections, and by maintaining its election misinformation policies and policies against hate speech, harassment, and incitement to violence, YouTube is taking a holistic approach towards supporting elections on its platform.

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