YouTube’s widely-criticized new system for filtering out “mature” content has censored such a wide range of videos it even hit Human Rights Watch.
The squeaky-clean NGO, which campaigns against oppressive governments worldwide, this week added its name to the growing list of content producers getting screened out.
The filter system – known as “restricted mode” – has been beefed up in recent weeks, sparking outrage from high-profile channels.
Restricted mode – which is optional – uses algorithms to hide content it deems “potentially inappropriate”, and was recently enhanced after pressure from advertisers.
Scores of prominent vloggers complained when they realised their reach was being hampered by the feature.
Especial outrage came from the LGBT community, which said even harmless, educational videos were being hidden for no good reason.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch pointed out that some of its LGBT content was hit as well.
The group said the following video, calling on Utah to repeal anti-LGBT legislation (which it later did), had been marked “restricted”:
Human Rights Watch said that when they asked YouTube to explain their decision, the tech giant declined to comment.
They further called on YouTube to remove the restriction
The attack from a respected NGO – more used to running into trouble with authoritarians in China and the Middle East than Silicon Valley – is another embarrassment for YouTube.
The company is now in retreat over its restriction policy, which it has admitted is “not working as it should”, and has vowed to overhaul the technology behind the filter.