Tegan and Sara and YouTube Creators Criticize YouTube for Restricting LGBTQ Videos
Many top YouTube creators are criticizing the platform over its “Restricted Mode” feature, which many says is unnecessarily blocking LGBTQ-related videos. Restricted Mode, as explained by YouTube is meant to be an “optional feature used by a very small subset of users who want to have a more limited YouTube experience.” Users began to point out last week, however, that the feature also censors videos referencing same-sex issues, as well as coming-out videos.
The Restricted Modes uses “community flagging, age-restrictions, and other signals to identify and filter out potentially inappropriate content” and is often by used by schools, libraries, and parents to avoid NFSW content.
YouTube responded to the criticism on Sunday (March 19), by insisting that “LGBTQ+ videos are available in Restricted Mode, but videos that discuss more sensitive issues may not be.”
A message to our community … pic.twitter.com/oHNiiI7CVs
— YouTube Creators (@YTCreators) March 20, 2017
Many YouTube creators have criticized the platform since YouTube’s announcement, including Canadian pop-rock group Tegan and Sara.
Hey guys! We're available to chat if you guys want to explain why advice sites like @everyoneisgay is now restricted. Or why our dancing is! https://t.co/89MFvYSRS5
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 20, 2017
See more of the fallout towards YouTube below.
@YTCreators @YouTube If they're a tiny subset then why are you catering your platform to them. I'm sorry dad but this is not only vague but seems like a lie.
— Jenna Marbles (@Jenna_Marbles) March 20, 2017
@YTCreators Step 1: Agree that there is a problem. Step 2: Suspend the program. Step 3: Thank creators for discovering this problem.
— Hank Green (@hankgreen) March 20, 2017
@YTCreators This did nothing but confirm the insane idea that some people find very NORMAL videos to be "sensitive issues"
WHY cater to them— natalie tran (@natalietran) March 20, 2017
.@YTCreators you blocked my coming out video that addresses labels we face daily, a video MADE for LGBTQ youth – nothing is sensitive.
— Jordan Doww (@JordanDoww) March 20, 2017
.@YTCreators you're blocking everything with any hint of lgbtq+! Vids of me swearing aren't restricted but transwomen makeup tutorials are
— dodie (@doddleoddle) March 20, 2017
.@YTCreators my coming out video is restricted.. can't at all wrap my mind around how that's possible
— Shannon Beveridge (@nowthisisliving) March 20, 2017
@YTCreators coming out videos should not be classified as "sensitive content" unless videos abt heteronormative dating also classify
— venmo famous meat (@AlexisGZall) March 20, 2017
@YTCreators pls, pls, fix the feed, more than 3 weeks and im still waiting the notification for some of my videos… :S
— AlphaSniper97 (@Alphasniper97) March 20, 2017
@YTCreators you guys have no clue what you're doing.
— ChimneySwift (@ChimneySwift11) March 20, 2017