Does that make flagged videos unavailable only in UK? Somehow I doubt it, but it would really be cool if that were the case. Want censorship in your country? Knock yourself out!
Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
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Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#12Given what we've seen, I'm not inclined to believe that the UK government will use this newfound power for good.
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#13Does that make flagged videos unavailable only in UK? Somehow I doubt it, but it would really be cool if that were the case. Want censorship in your country? Knock yourself out!
That's what they do for removing videos in most countries.
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#14Does that make flagged videos unavailable only in UK? Somehow I doubt it, but it would really be cool if that were the case. Want censorship in your country? Knock yourself out!
Why do they have to make one of the biggest asshats in the room the superflagger? Between them and the music industry, there won't be much Youtube left for UKians to watch.
That is, assuming they really only block it inside the UK. They certainly can't make the video unavailable for everybody or we'll soon have a Youtube that is filled only with the intersecting "this is acceptable" sets of all governments.
On the other hand, this might actually be a nice opportunity for rebranding: They should call it Youtube Zero.
As in zero videos.
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#15"Google told the FT that while the Home Office had been given these new permissions, the company still retained the right to decide whether they ought to be removed or not. Google's own user policy on YouTube forbids content that incites hatred or violence." So what does this really mean? So Google ultimately decides, but the UK can "recommend"? Without seeing the process in practice, it's hard to say if this actuall…
It makes it sound like Google is humouring the Home Office a little.
I suppose the point of the "super-flagger" status is that whomever has that title is known by Google to not be a troll, who flags wildly and arbitrarily.
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#16"Google told the FT that while the Home Office had been given these new permissions, the company still retained the right to decide whether they ought to be removed or not. Google's own user policy on YouTube forbids content that incites hatred or violence." So what does this really mean? So Google ultimately decides, but the UK can "recommend"? Without seeing the process in practice, it's hard to say if this actuall…
Yeah, it will be interesting to see what is actually taken down here. It would be nice if they did a chillingeffects.org thing but for the specific requests by the UK (including all the ones that were flagged but they ended up not taking down).
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#17"Google told the FT that while the Home Office had been given these new permissions, the company still retained the right to decide whether they ought to be removed or not. Google's own user policy on YouTube forbids content that incites hatred or violence." So what does this really mean? So Google ultimately decides, but the UK can "recommend"? Without seeing the process in practice, it's hard to say if this actuall…
Reads to me like they gave a bunch of organizations access to a priority desk that screens flagged videos immediately, as a compromise between the normal flagging process and the takedown powers that some media companies have been given.
It's unclear whether Google is willing to ignore the flags outside of special cases, but I expect we'll find out next December.
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#18Brokenshire suggested that the government was also pushing for a "code of conduct" for internet service providers and other internet companies, which might include changing search algorithms to downgrade "unsavoury" content in internet searches.
This points to blackmail on the government's part, and explains why would Google succumb to these demands.
Google told the FT that while the Home Office had been given these new permissions, the company still retained the right to decide whether they ought to be removed or not.
This reads like just an expedited version of the regular flagging function.
The major problem with the UK is that it's a tabloid driven society and in turn policy, and that is truly terrifying.
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#19"Google told the FT that while the Home Office had been given these new permissions, the company still retained the right to decide whether they ought to be removed or not. Google's own user policy on YouTube forbids content that incites hatred or violence." So what does this really mean? So Google ultimately decides, but the UK can "recommend"? Without seeing the process in practice, it's hard to say if this actuall…
Sounds like the RIAA / various large publishers are still more powerful than the Home Office and fighting copyright infringement is still more important than fighting terrorism, since they can reportedly take down videos directly (and have often done so).
Re: Google gives UK government “super flagger” status for YouTube?
#20"Google told the FT that while the Home Office had been given these new permissions, the company still retained the right to decide whether they ought to be removed or not. Google's own user policy on YouTube forbids content that incites hatred or violence." So what does this really mean? So Google ultimately decides, but the UK can "recommend"? Without seeing the process in practice, it's hard to say if this actuall…
It sounds like it just allows the government to know within a few minutes whether Google will voluntarily remove a video. It allows them to know whether they have to pursue takedown for what they consider an urgent matter through legal channels.