YouTube’s New Policy on Altered or Synthetic Content Disclosures

Stay informed and compliant with YouTube’s latest policy update on altered content disclosures. Protect your channel and create authentic content that builds trust with your audience. Learn more now!

Hey there YouTube creators and viewers! We’ve got some important updates to share with you. If you’re using AI in your videos to create realistic imagery, listen up! YouTube is implementing new guidelines that require content creators to disclose whether their videos contain altered or synthetic material made using AI tools. This means that viewers will soon see disclaimers on these videos, letting them know that the content has been “altered or synthetic.”

Why the change? Well, it’s all about curbing harmful misinformation. In a recent blog post, YouTube’s vice presidents of product management, Jennifer Flannery O’Connor and Emily Moxley, emphasized the importance of preventing misleading content that could pose a serious risk. While AI’s storytelling capabilities are impressive, they can also mislead viewers, especially if they’re not aware that the video has been altered or synthetically created.

So, what does this mean for creators? Over the next few months, you’ll be prompted to disclose if your content contains realistic alterations or synthetic elements created with AI tools. This will help ensure transparency for viewers. It’s crucial to note that these policies apply only to content that could be interpreted as true. Obviously synthetic or unrealistic work is exempt.

However, let’s not forget the community guidelines. If any synthetic media violates these guidelines by realistically depicting violence to shock or disgust viewers, it may be removed regardless of the disclosure. Consistently failing to disclose altered or synthetic videos could result in content removal, account suspension, or other penalties.

But how will viewers know if content has been altered or synthetic? YouTube has that covered! They will add a label to the description panel indicating that some content has been modified or synthetic. For sensitive topics like elections, ongoing conflicts, public health crises, or public officials, a more prominent label will appear on the video player itself. This will help viewers easily recognize and understand what they’re watching.

Oh, and for those of you who use YouTube’s generative AI creation tool, Dream Screen, the new rules apply to that feature as well. Content created with AI tools will be clearly labeled as altered or synthetic.

Speaking of AI, YouTube is also taking steps to protect people from having their likeness used improperly, like in deepfakes. The company will soon allow users to request the removal of AI-generated or synthetic content that falsely depicts them, using their privacy request process. Of course, certain factors will be considered before removing content, such as whether it’s parody, satire, or features a public figure. YouTube wants to strike a balance between protecting individuals and preserving freedom of expression.

And that’s not all! Music partners will have the right to request the removal of AI-generated music that clones an artist’s voice. The decision to grant a removal request will depend on various factors, including whether the content serves news reporting, analysis, or critique of the synthetic vocals. This marks the beginning of YouTube’s efforts to compensate music rights holders for AI-generated tunes.

Lastly, YouTube is boosting content moderation with AI. The platform wants to not only reduce harmful content overall but also protect their amazing content reviewers from exposure to the darkest corners of humanity. Artificial intelligence will play a key role in this endeavor.

Exciting times ahead for YouTube! Stay tuned for these changes and help us create a safe, transparent, and enjoyable video-sharing experience for everyone.