Google, YouTube Should Ban War Propaganda Accounts, EU Industry Chief Demands

Alphabet and its YouTube unit ought to ban customers pushing conflict propaganda as a part of measures to cease disinformation after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU trade chief Thierry Breton instructed the chief executives of the businesses on Sunday.

Alphabet’s Google on Saturday barred Russia’s state-owned media outlet RT and different channels from receiving cash for advertisements on their web sites, apps and YouTube movies, much like a transfer by Fb after the invasion of Ukraine.

In a video name with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, Breton mentioned the businesses ought to go additional.

“Freedom of expression doesn’t cowl conflict propaganda. For too lengthy, content material from Russia In the present day and different Russian state media has been amplified by algorithms and proposed as ‘really helpful content material’ to individuals who had by no means requested it,” Breton mentioned in a press release after the video name.

“Struggle propaganda ought to by no means be really helpful content material – what’s extra, it should not have any place on on-line platforms in any respect. I rely on the tech trade to take pressing and efficient measures to counter disinformation,” he mentioned.

Breton mentioned the businesses’ phrases and situations for customers ought to be expanded to incorporate conflict propaganda, giving them the ability to kick violators off their platforms.

The fee mentioned there was settlement to adapt and replace the platforms’ insurance policies in view of the present scenario.

European Fee Vice President Vera Jourova additionally took half within the video name.

“I count on YouTube and Google to step up efforts to deal with Russian conflict propaganda. Russia has weaponised data, because of this platforms can’t be an area for its conflict lies,” she mentioned in a press release.

Google mentioned it had already taken unprecedented steps to halt disinformation on Ukraine.

“As we mentioned to the Commissioners, our groups proceed to observe the scenario across the clock and are able to take additional motion,” a Google spokesperson mentioned.

Banning accounts selling conflict propaganda could possibly be problematic, nonetheless, due to the problem of defining what constitutes propaganda and from whose perspective.

© Thomson Reuters 2022