YouTube has announced it will remove conspiracy theory videos that link 5G to the coronavirus.
The conspiracy theories blaming 5G for the spread of COVID-19 have had some dangerous consequences––like people torching cell phone towers in the U.K.
England’s Chief Medical Director Stephen Powis said cell phone towers are crucial for communicating during the outbreaks.
“I’m absolutely outraged and disgusted that people would be taking action against the infrastructure we need to tackle this emergency,” Powers said at a press conference.
But conspiracy theorists aren’t just targeting cell phone towers. U.K. telecom engineers have been verbally and physically threatened, according to Engadget.
In response to the incidents, YouTube said it would remove videos that break its policies. The company’s guidelines ban incorrect medical information about the coronavirus.
“We have also begun reducing recommendations of borderline content such as conspiracy theories related to 5G and coronavirus, that could misinform users in harmful ways,” a YouTube spokesperson told the Guardian.
The company stopped short from banning all 5G conspiracy theory videos. It will only remove videos that link the technology to the novel coronavirus.
However, conspiracy theories about 5G that don’t connect it to the coronavirus will be “suppressed.” The company told the Guardian that it would remove the videos from search results and reduce recommendations and ad revenue.
The Daily Dot reached out to YouTube but did not receive a comment by publication time.
READ MORE:
- People are literally destroying cell towers over 5G coronavirus conspiracy
- 5G fears reportedly being pushed by Russia TV network
- T-Mobile, Verizon admit most Americans won’t see fast 5G
H/T the Guardian
