© Unsplash/Thomas Wiediger
The American platform YouTube has always carried, like other giants across the Atlantic, the values of the United States. Including a certain vision of freedom of expression, with in the background the sanctification of the American constitution of 1776 and its amendments. It is obvious to no one that one of them sanctifies the right to own a weapon.
As a result, to this day, we still find on the platform a plethora of videos showing or promoting firearms. Even showing how to remove the safety features from them… the arrival of 3D printing has even seen the emergence of instructions for printing a lethal weapon in the comfort of your own home.
How YouTube is tightening the screws on firearms
All of this remains accessible everywhere in the world, with no restrictions other than the language barrier. Including in countries like France where this kind of thing is strictly prohibited by law. Obviously, all this is enough to make one wince, seen from this side of the Atlantic. Especially when one knows the ravages that firearms cause in the United States.
In a hyper-connected era, marked by dangers such as terrorism, the lack of action of the platform protected by the American constitution remains something extremely strange, and frustrating. Since it exports, even minimally, the consequences of this arbitrary vision elsewhere in the world.
Almost 20 years (!) after the very first YouTube video, we learn that the platform's policy on the matter is (finally) about to tighten the screw more frankly. Thus, from June 18, 2024, all videos talking about firearms, whether homemade or not, and accessories for firearms, will be prohibited for those under 18.
Videos showing firearms being fired will also be prohibited for those under 18 years of age. Finally, any videos showing how to remove the safety on these weapons will simply be deleted. In the event of repeated posting of this type of video, YouTube has the right to ban the channel.
“These updates to our firearms policy are part of our ongoing efforts to maintain policies that reflect the current state content on YouTube. For example, 3D printing has become more easily accessible in recent years, so we are expanding our restrictions on content involving homemade firearms. We regularly review our guidelines and consult with external experts to ensure we draw the line in the right place”, says a spokesperson for the platform.
Of course, one could object that these measures do not necessarily go far enough yet. Even though he's shy, it's still a step in the right direction…
- As of June 18, 2024, YouTube's firearms policy will change.
- The platform will limit the viewing of this content to those over 18 years old.
- Certain content is now completely prohibited.
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