Researchers found that YouTube failed to detect and block manipulation and disinformation in fake political advertisements related to Indian elections. Despite submitting 48 ads containing baseless allegations and false information, YouTube approved each one. These ads included misinformation about voting procedures, changes to the voting age, and incitement to prevent certain groups from voting. With India holding its first general election since 2019, the role of social media platforms like YouTube in disseminating accurate electoral information is crucial.
The investigation highlights concerns about YouTube’s readiness to handle election-related content, particularly in countries like India where it has a significant user base. YouTube, with over 450 million users in India, plays a pivotal role in political campaigning and information dissemination. However, its failure to effectively moderate content raises questions about its preparedness for the upcoming election season. Political parties and campaign managers in India are increasingly relying on YouTube to reach voters, further underscoring the importance of addressing disinformation on the platform.
Google, YouTube’s parent company, defended its review process, stating that ads are subject to multiple layers of review. However, researchers argue that YouTube’s approach of approving ads first and removing them later if found violating policies is risky, especially during an election period. Despite the platform’s ability to moderate content properly in some instances, such as ahead of the United States midterm elections in 2022, inconsistencies persist in its enforcement of election disinformation policies across different countries and languages.
The findings underscore the need for YouTube to enhance its content moderation processes, particularly regarding election-related content. With elections being a critical event for democracy, platforms like YouTube must prioritize the accuracy and integrity of information shared on their platforms. Failure to do so not only undermines trust in the electoral process but also perpetuates the spread of misinformation, posing significant risks to democratic principles.
