This week, we’re talking about a major moderation issue on YouTube.
It’s not the first time we’ve discussed this. It probably won’t be the last, either. But this time the platform is deleting videos and, potentially, whole channels focused on gun content after a new policy update that’s only partially written out.
I talked with YouTube spokespeople about the changes and got more details this week. But things are still a bit vague. Purposefully so. That’s why we’ve got Jon Patton of The Gun Collective on the show to share what he’s been told and to discuss how serious the impact of the changes could be.
Patton argued the fallout of the new policy against directing viewers to lawful gun or ammo dealers could be huge. He said it makes it harder for gun channels to survive on the platform and for gun companies to advertise their products. He also worried about the often chaotic nature of YouTube enforcement and how it has the potential to lead to instant bans for people who rely on the platform to make a living–without warning or explanation.
You can listen to the show on your favorite podcasting app or by clicking here. Video of the episode is available on our YouTube channel. An auto-generated transcript is here. Reload members get access on Sunday, as always. Everyone else can listen on Monday.
Plus, Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman is on vacation this week. So, I host the news update. I give a recap of how the Democratic National Convention approached guns. From the platform, to the keynote speeches, to an entire programing block in primetime on the final day the DNC highlighted gun control. Kamala Harris also called for a “red flag” law, universal background checks, and an “assault weapons” ban. That all contrasts with how Donald Trump and the RNC handled guns, which is to say they didn’t really at all. I also go over the latest gun polling and a new ruling against one of California’s gun restrictions.
2 Responses
YouTube has become way too big. Regardless, when the company continues to shun a segment of their producers content, that will create an opportunity – eventually – for a viable competitor. When that is about to occur, YouTube will change their policy platform. What that new competition will look like is anyboty’s guess.
Yea. I think Google getting broken up as a monopoly overall, rather than for YouTube in particular, could actually happen given the most recent ruling against the company. That would likely invite more competition. But it’s hard to say for sure.