YouTube warns it will ban misleading election-related content

YouTube announced it would remove election-related videos that are “manipulated or doctored” to mislead voters, and that the measures are part of an effort to be a “more reliable source” for news and to promote a “healthy political discourse.”
The move is seen as part of Youtube’s efforts to stop online misinformation as online platforms are under increased pressure to root out misinformation in the wake of a foreign manipulation effort in the 2016 US elections. The company explained that it will prohibit “content that has been technically manipulated or doctored in a way that misleads users and may pose a serious risk of egregious harm”.
Recently, concerns have sparked about videos altered by using artificial intelligence which can create credible-looking events. Last month, Facebook and eBay pledged to remove accounts, pages and groups involved in the trade of fake reviews, which look like genuine reviews, but they are paid for by the manufacturer, which is aiming to boost its rankings and sales.
The European Union announced its Democracy Action Plan, with measures in the fight against disinformation, while allowing free and fair elections. However, it was warned by Facebook over freedom of expression. The social media giant explained it was being careful to not cross the fine line between banning disinformation and suppressing freedom of expression.