The United States 2020 Presidential Election has caused the Americans' hearts to beat fast since the results were not declared on Tuesday, Oct. 3. What makes this event even more heart-pounding are the YouTube channels that spread fake election results.
The YouTube logo appears on screen before a keynote address by Vice President of Global Content Partnerships at YouTube Robert Kyncl at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino January 12, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 13 and features more than 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 140,000 attendees.
The giant video platform is now taking down these fake channels to prevent the spread of misinformation. According to CNET's latest report, YouTube banned multiple videos that live-streamed phony election results.
Thousands of people were able to watch the videos that streamed static pictures, which contain fake election status. Some of them were able to make money using the content, thanks to YouTube advertisements.
Top four search results were fake
The INSIDER reported that the "Presidential Election Results" top four search results were fake election night results. Meanwhile, the top three search results for 'Election Results" on YouTube are also the same fake videos.
A waitress wears a protective mask as she watches a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump on a television during an election watching event at a local bar on November 4, 2020 in Beijing, China. After a record-breaking early voting turnout, Americans head to the polls on the last day to cast their vote for incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump or Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Wicked Sounds, one of the fake YouTube channels, has 1.48 million subscribers. The channel's administrator hasn't released any statement regarding the fake content.
However, none of the YouTube channels were connected with any news or political organizations. These streamers are mostly showcasing hip-hop and other music-related videos.
Three fake YouTube videos are monetized
The fake videos only appear when the users are searching for election results. This means that the banned channels were monetized.
YouTube said that the video streams violated its policies on scams, spams, and deceptive practices. The giant video platform is not the only one that is facing the spread of fake information.
Google and other social media platforms are also conducting different strategies to lessen the spread of misinformation. Facebook, Twitter are making ways to prove that they can avoid the mistakes they made in 2016 when Russian agents successfully attacked the tech platforms.
For more news updates about YouTube and the Presidential Election results, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
