Overview

• The Liberal Democrats have formally demanded legislation to bring YouTube advertising under Ofcom’s broadcast-style regulation in response to a recent wave of fraudulent ads.
• Ofcom data shows YouTube has overtaken ITV in weekly UK viewership and remains the leading platform for children’s media consumption.
• Users have reported AI-generated ads impersonating public figures like Martin Lewis to promote fake cryptocurrency schemes and other fraudulent offers.
• Under current ASA rules, YouTube ads face no mandatory pre-clearance or real-time oversight and rely on post-complaint enforcement.
• YouTube maintains it should not be classed as a broadcaster and defends its self-regulatory framework of strict policies and swift ad removals.