YouTube bans videos that show people how to manufacture guns

YouTube has banned videos that show people how to manufacture or modify guns and their accessories.

This comes after the site banned videos linked to the sale of guns and accessories.

Many firearms had some of their videos removed from the video-sharing website and others had their channels suspended.

YouTube’s policies now prohibit videos that:

• show how to make a firearm, ammunition, high-capacity magazine or homemade silencers
• are designed to sell guns or specific accessories including high-capacity magazines and tools that convert a firearm to automatic fire
• show how to convert a firearm to automatic or simulated-automatic fire
• show how to install such accessories or modifications

The changes will fully take effect on 20 April.

The decision was met with anger from some video-makers who modify guns and show off their creations as a hobby.

Firearms manufacturer Spike’s Tactical said the change reflected attempts to “slowly chip away at our freedoms and erode our rights”.

However, video-maker Joerg Sprave said he appreciated YouTube was “now defining their guidelines” more clearly.

 

Unsuitable for children

YouTube was criticized after the Sun newspaper found step-by-step instructions on how to build an air rifle on YouTube Kids, the company’s app for children.

Despite being designed for children, its content is curated by algorithms. Inappropriate videos have repeatedly slipped through the net.

In February, the BBC’s Newsround programme found instructions on how to sharpen knives on YouTube Kids.

At the time, YouTube said it had a variety of processes in place to try to prevent inappropriate material appearing on its platforms.

 

Credit: BBC