A number of popular homosexual, bisexual, and transgender internet stars are criticizing YouTube over accusations the video-sharing website is censoring its content with a family-friendly filter.
YouTube officials said Sunday they’re investigating the complaints by some users, specifically that the “restricted mode” is unduly rendering videos created by or associated with members of the gay community inaccessible, according to The New York Times.
Just looked at my videos with the “restricted mode” on. Seeing a bit of a theme here…
LGBT+ content not safe for kids @YouTube? pic.twitter.com/KnhayE4h1y
— fiona ✨ (@neonfiona) March 16, 2017
If you put @YouTube on restricted mode a bunch of our music videos disappear. I checked myself. LGBTQ people shouldn’t be restricted. SAD!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 19, 2017
still not fixed. one of my recent videos “8 Black LGBTQ+ Trailblazers Who Inspire Me” is blocked because of this. i’m perplexed, @YouTube. https://t.co/MrGBmPum1a
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) March 19, 2017
My thoughts on the new LGBTQ restriction on YouTube. https://t.co/lGpNvxyoFa pic.twitter.com/bAKShQL4Fe
— Gigi (@TheGigiGorgeous) March 19, 2017
Even popular YouTuber Casey Neistat — who recently signed a media contract estimated to be around $25 million with CNN — addressed the situation, and supported a fellow web celebrity.
really appreciate @TheGigiGorgeous response to the YouTube LGBTQ content restriction — https://t.co/ISTApqvfFB
— Casey Neistat (@CaseyNeistat) March 20, 2017
The tech company denies the full degree of the allegations, saying the filter (a parental-control option) does not block content based off of the user’s sexual orientation, but rather on the presence of more adult appropriate topics, like health and sexuality.
YouTube, though, officially apologized for “all the confusion.”
Sorry for all the confusion with Restricted Mode. Some videos have been incorrectly labeled and that’s not right. We’re on it! More to come.
— YouTube Creators (@YTCreators) March 20, 2017
A message to our community … pic.twitter.com/oHNiiI7CVs
— YouTube Creators (@YTCreators) March 20, 2017
Some of YouTube’s more famous personalities weren’t too pleased with the language of the statement.
Jenna Marbles, who boasts over 17 million subscribers, said the apology was of dubious genuineness.
@YTCreators @YouTube If they’re a tiny subset then why are you catering your platform to them. I’m sorry dad but this is not only vague but seems like a lie.
— Jenna Marbles (@Jenna_Marbles) March 20, 2017
The Twitter hashtag #YouTubeIsOverParty was trending on the social media platform for some time over the weekend.
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