YouTube has gone easy on content moderation and putting freedom of speech first, says report

YouTube has quietly changed how it moderates content and a new report suggests the video platform is now giving more freedom to creators, especially on political and social topics. According to internal training material accessed by The New York Times, YouTube is no longer quick to remove videos that partially break its rules, as long as the content is considered to be in the public interest.

This new approach reportedly started in December 2024. Earlier, if even 25 per cent of a video had content that violated YouTube’s policies, like hate speech or misinformation, it would reportedly be taken down. But now, the limit has been raised. Videos can stay up even if half of their content breaks rules, provided they cover political discussions, social issues, or current events that the platform believes people should hear.

The latest update comes at a time when other social media companies, such as Meta and X, have also reduced their efforts to strictly moderate speech. These companies have faced political pressure, mainly from the right, accusing them of censorship. YouTube, however, has not publicly spoken about this change and has chosen to update its moderation guidelines internally.

YouTube says its goal is to strike a balance between reducing harm and protecting freedom of expression. For example, a video that wrongly claimed Covid vaccines change DNA was not removed. The platform allowed it to stay because it also contained news clips, political opinions, and did not directly discourage vaccination. Similarly, another video that used a transphobic slur was also left online because it was part of a longer discussion about government hearings.

Critics believe this policy change could lead to more hate speech and false information spreading online. They argue that platforms are doing this not for free speech but to save money on moderation and keep controversial content online to drive engagement.

Still, YouTube reportedly updates its policies based on ongoing public discussions and evolving social concerns. The platform says it will continue removing content that causes serious harm but is also making room for conversations that might previously have been blocked.

As elections and social debates continue to dominate online platforms, YouTube’s decision to ease content restrictions could play an important role in changing what viewers see and hear. However, whether it leads to more open conversations or the rise of unchecked misinformation is something only time will tell.