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Researchers have revealed that YouTube is a haven for conspiracy theories and that its moderation measures need to be strengthened.
A University of Sydney and Queensland University of Technology study scrutinised YouTube comments on COVID-19 news videos featuring Microsoft founder and vaccine advocate Bill Gates.
It found more than half were conspiracy-related.
The comments covered topics such as the billionaire’s hidden agenda, his role in vaccine development and distribution, his body language, his connection to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, 5G network harms and possible microchipping through vaccines.
Study co-author Joanna Gray says despite implementing new misinformation policies during the pandemic, YouTube may have played an underrated role in conspiracy theories growing and circulating.
“We found that the process of developing a conspiracy theory is quite social, people come together and socially ‘joi n the dots’ or share new pieces of information that they use to build conspiratorial narratives,” she said.
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“The social media platforms’ current approaches to content moderation (which are often automated) are not good at detecting this kind of social conspiracy theorising.”
Dr Gray said YouTube’s moderation policies don’t go far enough, effectively allowing and fostering conspiracy discussions.
Certain comments considered “borderline content” are permitted to be posted on the platform.
Examples of borderline content include comments that raise doubts about Mr Gates’ motives in vaccine development and distribution and the suggestion he wants to take control in a “new world order”.
These “conversational” strategies are risky as they could fall into the hands of the wrong content creators, Dr Gray said.
“A major implication of our study is that YouTube needs to redesign the space to provide social moderation infrastructure,” she said.
“Otherwise, the discursive strategies of conspiracy theorists will continue to evade detection systems, pose insurmountable challenges for content creators, and play into the hands of content producers who benefit from or encourage such activity.”
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With AAP. (Content has been tweaked for length and style.)
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
