YouTube—YouTube's Restricted Mode systematically filtered LGBTQ+ content while allowing violent and drug-related videos
In March 2017, LGBTQ+ creators discovered YouTube's Restricted Mode was systematically hiding their content—including wedding videos, coming-out stories, and queer-themed pop culture commentary—while allowing Mortal Kombat fatality compilations and marijuana growing tutorials. YouTube acknowledged the system 'sometimes make[s] mistakes' and claimed to fix it in April 2017 by unfiltering 12 million videos, but creators reported the problems persisted. By 2019, LGBTQ+ creators filed a class-action lawsuit alleging discriminatory censorship, with plaintiffs reporting 75% revenue drops.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content Moderation | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Creator Compensation | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| LGBTQ+ Rights | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.322 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (high ×1.5) × confidence (0.64)× agency (negligent ×0.5)
Evidence (2 signals)
LGBTQ+ creators filed class-action lawsuit against YouTube alleging discriminatory censorship via Restricted Mode
In August 2019, five LGBTQ+ YouTube channels filed a class-action lawsuit alleging discriminatory content filtering. The amended complaint in November 2019 added plaintiffs and a First Amendment claim. Creators documented that LGBTQ+ wedding videos, coming-out stories, and queer pop culture content were hidden in Restricted Mode while violent content remained available. One plaintiff reported a 75% revenue drop. YouTube denied the allegations, claiming its policies have 'no notion of sexual orientation or gender identity.'
YouTube admitted its Restricted Mode system made 'mistakes' filtering LGBTQ+ content
In March 2017, after LGBTQ+ creators discovered their content was being systematically hidden in Restricted Mode while violent and drug-related content remained visible, YouTube issued a statement acknowledging its system 'sometimes make[s] mistakes in understanding context and nuances.' YouTube later claimed to have fixed the issue by unfiltering 12 million videos, but creators reported the problems persisted.