In a far-reaching expansion of its medical misinformation policies, YouTube on Wednesday said it will remove videos and ban channels that spread misinformation about any approved vaccine, not only those intended to prevent Covid-19.
The Alphabet-owned video company said the new measure would affect any content claiming that approved vaccines are dangerous, cause chronic health ailments, do not reduce transmission and contain misinformation on the substances contained in the vaccines.
“This would include content that falsely says that approved vaccines cause autism, cancer or infertility, or that substances in vaccines can track those who receive them,” YouTube said in a blog posting.
The company’s community guidelines already prohibit certain types of medical misinformation. Last year, it developed 10 new policies about Covid-19 misinformation.
Since then, it has removed more than 130,000 videos for violating its Covid-19 vaccine policies.
“We have steadily seen false claims about the coronavirus vaccines spill over into misinformation about vaccines in general … we are now at a point where it's more important than ever to expand the work we started with Covid-19 to other vaccines,” YouTube said.
“Today’s policy update is an important step to address vaccine and health misinformation on our platform … we will continue to invest across the board in the policies and products that bring high-quality information,” it added.
Founded in 2005, YouTube has launched local versions in more than 100 countries and its content is available in over 80 languages. It has about two billion logged-in users each month and every day, people watch more than a billion hours of video, company data show.
The California-based video platform has consulted local and global health organisations and medical experts to develop its new policies. For example, its new guidance on vaccine side effects maps to public vaccine resources provided by health authorities and backed by medical consensus, the company said.
The new policy changes went into effect on Wednesday.
YouTube will remove the channels of many well-known vaccine misinformation spreaders under the new policy, including one belonging to the Children's Health Defence Fund, a group affiliated with anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr, CNN reported.
However, the platform will allow content about vaccine policies, new trials and successes or failures of the vaccines. It will also let users to put personal testimonials if they do not breach the guidelines and the “channel doesn't show a pattern of promoting vaccine hesitancy”.
In the past few months, social media companies have come under fire from lawmakers and regulators for promoting misinformation about vaccines.
In July, US President Joe Biden said social media firms were partially accountable for spreading vaccine misinformation and said they should accelerate efforts to resolve the matter.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Brief scores:
Toss: Australia, chose to bat
Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)
Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48
India: 237 (50 ov)
Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
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Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
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