YouTube censor videos containing ‘abortion misinformation’

July 22, 2022 Najuma Wilkinson US 0

FILE PHOTO: YouTube app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

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UPDATED 6:00 PM PT – Friday, July 22, 2022

YouTube is taking its censorship efforts to the issue of abortion. On Thursday, the video sharing platform said it would crackdown on videos containing so-called misinformation about abortion. This could include videos providing instructions on unsafe abortions or information false claims about abortion safety.

1/ Starting today and ramping up over the next few weeks, we will remove content that provides instructions for unsafe abortion methods or promotes false claims about abortion safety under our medical misinformation policies. https://t.co/P7A27WPYuD

— YouTubeInsider (@YouTubeInsider) July 21, 2022

3/ We’re also launching an information panel that provides viewers with context and information from local and global health authorities under abortion-related videos and above relevant search results. pic.twitter.com/dGzEn4bIb8

— YouTubeInsider (@YouTubeInsider) July 21, 2022

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America responded to the news with a statement to Fox News Digital saying, “Videos sharing instructions for dangerous self-managed abortions are deeply concerning and a threat to the health and safety of women as well as their developing child. We are glad YouTube has decided to review this type of content and hope they will take appropriate action.”

The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade has increased pressure on technology companies to take steps so that their devices and digital services can’t be used to shadow women seeking abortions or steer them in directions that could threaten their health.

This comes as progressive lawmakers are pushing parent-company Google to limit alleged instances of people searching for abortion clinics and being sent to pregnancy centers. Earlier this month, Google announced it will automatically purge information about users who visit abortion clinics or other places that could trigger legal problems in light of the Supreme Court’s court ruling.