YouTube Defends Blocking Certain LGBTQ+ Videos in Restricted Mode
YouTube has responded to critics including Tegan and Sara and numerous vloggers who claim the site’s Restricted Mode blocks non-explicit LGBTQ videos, the BBC reports. Restricted Mode is an opt-in function designed to protect young viewers from “more mature content.” But videos offering LGBTQ perspectives on subjects like dating and attraction—such as Calum McSwiggan’s video about coming out to his grandmother—are reportedly being blocked. Tegan and Sara said “a bunch of our music videos disappear” in Restricted Mode, including one with “Nothing gay in it except us.” YouTube responded, in a statement via Twitter, “LGBTQ+ videos are available in Restricted Mode, but videos that discuss more sensitive subjects may not be.” They added that they’re looking further into concerns. See their full statement, along with Tegan and Sara’s tweets, below.
A message to our community … pic.twitter.com/oHNiiI7CVs
— YouTube Creators (@YTCreators) March 20, 2017
If you put @YouTube on restricted mode a bunch of our music videos disappear. I checked myself. LGBTQ people shouldn’t be restricted. SAD!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 19, 2017
Don’t worry though. Our super sexual video about fruits and vegetables (Stop Desire) is still on @YouTube https://t.co/DAK1KNqCUI
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 19, 2017
Sadly our U-Turn video also is gone. Nothing gay in it accept us. Our dancing IS pretty bad. Must be why? @youtube is it our dancing?
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 19, 2017
Our super gay video for Be With You made it past the censors at @youtube though! Celebrate by watching it! https://t.co/ur8CVDexKh
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 19, 2017
Looking forward to @youtube fixing this restricted content issue ASAP! To our fellow LGBTQ content creators + LGBTQ friends MUCH LOVE TO U!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) March 19, 2017
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