Overview

• Rene Ritchie said YouTube is running an experiment on select Shorts that applies unblur, denoise, and clarity enhancements during processing, not generative AI or upscaling.
• Creators including Rhett Shull and Rick Beato shared side-by-side comparisons showing smoother skin, sharper wrinkles, unrealistic hair, and subtle ear warping.
• Uploaders say the edits were applied without consent or disclosure and are urging YouTube to provide clear labeling and an option to opt in.
• The BBC reported that YouTube did not answer whether creators will be given a choice to avoid the processing.
• The dispute builds on wider creator frustration over recent YouTube changes such as AI-driven features and age-estimation systems that affect control and trust.