Google is being called out for not doing enough to curb the growing amount of violent content on the YouTube app.
An alarming report showed how Google failed to stick to its promises related to protecting minors on YouTube. The number of gun-related content displayed to minors was at an all-time high. The news comes despite Google updating its policy on the app for firearms in June of this year.
The platform vowed to change age restrictions for all videos featuring homemade firearms as well as automated ones and their accessories. Still, videos are violating the policy and are still seen by minors on the app, the Tech Transparency Project shared on Wednesday.
To prove the actions of Google, the project took on an experiment that consisted of trial accounts that belonged to a fictional character. His age was 14 and he was able to see everything that Google vowed to block under its policy. The report further showed how potential queries related to guns were also pointed to the minor.
All kinds of videos were seen including the latest modern inventions, automatic-styled weapons, and those using 3D technology. If that was not bad enough, how to make weapons at home using commony materials was also shown.
The report clearly shows how YouTube and its parent firm have failed to stay true to its promises. They might have rolled out positive headlines to keep activists happy but the reality is far from that.
This is why critics are now calling on the company to do more before things get out of control.
For now, YouTube is not commenting on the situation. It hopes to review the report and carry out some of its own investigations before reaching a conclusion. However, it does hope age-related content gets better with time. When that will be, we’re not quite sure.
The company keeps talking about its robust policies that control what kind of content can be shown on YouTube. They also keep talking about policy revision but as far as we know, they’ve been doing that for a long time.
It’s amazing how easily minors can search for guns and violent-themed content online. The fact that content is age-restricted and still seeing this happen is questionable. What do you think?
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