Overview

• Since December 2024 YouTube has allowed videos with up to half of their content violating policies to remain online if judged to serve the public interest.
• Moderators have been instructed to prioritize free expression by erring on the side of leaving borderline content up rather than removing it.
• In the first quarter of 2025 the platform removed 192,586 videos for hateful or abusive content, a 22% increase from the same period last year.
• Critics warn the policy shift may reduce moderation costs and fuel the spread of misinformation and hate speech to drive engagement.
• YouTube says the updates reflect evolving public discourse and aim to balance protection of free expression with mitigation of serious harm.