YouTube changes election misinformation policy for 2024.

YouTube to Stop Removing Misinformation on Election Integrity for 2020 Election

“In the current environment, we find that while removing this content does 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,” YouTube’s blog post read.

YouTube has announced that it will no longer enforce its election integrity misinformation policy for the 2020 election. This decision comes eight months before a Republican nominee will be named from a pool of potential candidates, including former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), political commentator Larry Elder, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

The platform began enforcing its policy surrounding election integrity after the states’ safe harbor date for certification had passed and stopped enforcing it on Friday. YouTube’s blog post stated that “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.”

However, the platform will continue to remove videos that contain themes of voter suppression, candidate eligibility, incitement to interfere with democratic processes, and distribution of hacked materials. Over the past two years, the platform claims to have removed “tens of thousands of videos” in the name of the policy.

The election integrity policy will still apply to the 2021 German federal election and the 2014, 2018, and 2022 Brazilian presidential elections. Rival video platform Rumble tweeted, “You only move goalposts when you’re losing.”

What Does This Mean for the 2020 Election?

YouTube’s decision to stop removing content that advances false claims about the 2020 election could have a significant impact on the upcoming election. With campaigns well underway, political speech will be allowed to flow freely, even if it is based on disproven assumptions. This decision could lead to a more open and controversial election season, with candidates and their supporters expressing their opinions more freely.

What Will YouTube Continue to Remove?

While YouTube will no longer remove content related to election integrity for the 2020 election, it will continue to remove videos that contain themes of voter suppression, candidate eligibility, incitement to interfere with democratic processes, and distribution of hacked materials. This policy will still apply to other elections, including the 2021 German federal election and the 2014, 2018, and 2022 Brazilian presidential elections.

What Does This Mean for Political Speech?

YouTube’s decision to stop removing content related to election integrity for the 2020 election is a win for 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. This decision could lead to a more open and controversial election season, with candidates and their supporters expressing their opinions more freely.