YouTube Quietly Changes COVID-19 Censorship Policy on Masks, Social Distancing, Vaccines

Follow the “science.” But what about when the “science” changes? Big Tech seems to change the rules of censorship in the middle.

YouTube, owned by Google, has quietly altered its COVID-19 misinformation policy.

YouTube has changed its COVID-19 policy on medical misinformation to eliminate penalties for criticisms of government or personal practices regarding masking, social ditancing, and COVID-19 vaccinations. Original policy contained 71 restrictions on content. The updated policy only has 64. And while the platform appears to have reduced its speech constraints, the updated policy is still highly detailed and restrictive.

In April, YouTube banned content critical of masking to stop the spread of COVID-19, including: “Claims that wearing a mask causes oxygen levels to drop to dangerous levels,” and “Claims that masks do not play a role in preventing the contraction or transmission of COVID-19.” YouTube has since removed those bullet points.

Another bullet point that prevented it from being possible to discuss COVID-19 was finally dropped by YouTube. YouTube prohibited users from making “Claims that COVID-19 vaccines are not effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” but also disallowed “Claims that any medication or vaccination is a guaranteed prevention method for COVID-19.” The former has since disappeared from the policy.

YouTube also removed policy language that prohibited critiques of social distancing, including: “Videos alleging that social distancing and self-isolation are not effective in reducing the spread of the virus.”

In April, before the changes, the YouTube policy banned, “Claims that COVID-19 vaccines do not reduce risk of Contracting COVID-19.” The updated policy now prohibits, “Claims that COVID-19 vaccines do not reduce risk of Death or serious illness.”

MRC Free Speech America reported in October that YouTube Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy Leslie Miller testified during an Oct. 26 Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing that the Google-owned platform removed over 1 million videos containing alleged “COVID misinfo,” including over 130,000 videos on “Covid vaccine misinfo.” 

Users who were censored by the previous policy will be able to get any compensation.

YouTube has stifled the public conversation on masking and social distancing, and COVID-19 vaccinations between citizens of all ages and elected officials. 

MRC Free Speech America’s unique CensorTrack database found that the platform removed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s conversation with former White House Coronavirus Task Force advisor Dr. Scott Atlas. The policy also affects Sen. Rand Paul (RKY), Rep. Byron Donalds(RFL), Rep. Darrell Issa, (RCA), and the New Jersey State Senate. 

YouTube also censored content from concerned parents who spoke at school board meetings. The platform blocked a Daily Signal video of Merianne Jensen from Virginia and Courtney Ann Taylor (from Georgia) on Grabien. Both were vocal opponents to the masking of children. YouTube also censored content from meetings of the Vancouver, Wash., school board, Union County, N.C., school board and Johnsburg (Ill.)  School District 12.

YouTube did not respond to MRC Free Speech America’s request for comment at the time of publishing

Conservatives being attacked. Get in touch You can watch YouTubeDemand that Big Tech is held accountable to ensure transparency for all and respect the First Amendment. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s Use the contact formHelp us to hold Big Tech responsible.

About Post Author

Follow Us