Tech

YouTube Removed Over 1 Million ‘Dangerous’ Videos Related To COVID-19

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Ailan Evans Deputy Editor
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YouTube has removed over one million videos on its platform containing alleged misinformation related to COVID-19.

The Google-owned company announced the figure in a blog post Wednesday titled “Perspective: Tackling Misinformation on YouTube,” written by Neil Mohan, YouTube’s chief product officer.

“Since last February we’ve removed over 1 million videos related to dangerous coronavirus information, like false cures or claims of a hoax,” Mohan said. The company focuses on removing content that can directly lead to “egregious real world harm,” according to Mohan. (RELATED: Glenn Greenwald Blasts YouTube For Suspending Rand Paul, Says ‘We’re Now At The Point’ Almost ‘No Dissent Is Allowed’)

YouTube also said it was addressing misinformation by optimizing search results to prioritize “quality” news and information from “trusted sources.” For information related to COVID-19, the company relied on “expert consensus” from health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization.

Sen. Rand Paul questions top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing, July 20, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite-Pool/Getty Images)

Sen. Rand Paul questions top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing, July 20, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite-Pool/Getty Images)

“In the midst of a global pandemic, everyone should be armed with absolutely the best information available to keep themselves and their families safe,” Mohan said.

YouTube received criticism for its enforcement of its COVID-19 misinformation policies after it suspended Sen. Rand Paul’s account, and removed several of his videos, over claims that cloth masks were not effective at stopping the spread of the virus. The tech company also removed Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ video of a press conference announcing her lawsuit against New York City over vaccine mandates.

YouTube’s announcement comes amid pressure from the Biden administration on tech companies to more aggressively police content for alleged COVID-19 misinformation. The White House announced it was flagging posts for Facebook to remove last month, and said that spreaders of misinformation should be banned from all social media platforms.

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