Youtube continues to be a popular platform with millions of users all over the world. However, as with any form of online media, it’s all too easy for someone to spread lies or false information about another person to a wide audience.
If you discover that you’ve become a target of defamation on YouTube, there are several steps you can take to address the problem. The most important thing to do is stay calm, however. Do not respond to the defamation as this may only lead to more attention of the defamatory content. Instead, follow the steps outlined below:
1.) PRESERVE EVIDENCE
Preserving evidence includes downloading or recording the defamatory video so it can later be used as evidence if needed. If the video’s description includes defamatory statements, take a screenshot of it. You may also want to take screenshots of the defamer’s profile and any other pertinent information.
2.) REPORT THE DEFAMATORY CONTENT
Though anyone can report abuse on YouTube, it’s helpful if you have a YouTube account and valid email. You can submit a complaint if you are the target of abuse or if someone else, such as your child, has become a target. YouTube will also accept complaints from people who do not have a direct relationship with the target of the defamer.
Keep in mind that Google owns and operates YouTube, so you will be directed to Google Support when you report defamatory content. According to Google’s defamation support page, content that contains “untrue statements that harm another’s reputation or causes someone to be shunned” qualifies as defamatory and may be in violation of the law.
There are two options for reporting abusive or illegal behavior on YouTube:
Option 1: Submit a Complaint on Google
After reading YouTube’s complaint requirements, go to their “Submit a Complaint” page. This will direct you to your country of residence from a drop-down menu. If you select “United States”, you will get an explanation of U.S. law, specifically Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act which states that YouTube is “not in a position to adjudicate the truthfulness of postings . . . and do not remove video(s) . . . due to allegations of defamation. Instead, YouTube recommends that U.S. residents pursue legal action against the content creator directly.
However, before you pursue legal action, consider whether the YouTube content violates their privacy, harassment, or copyright policies, as they will remove content that violates any of these policies.
Option 2: Flag the Video: YouTube encourages users to flag and report any content that violates their Community Guidelines. To flag inappropriate content, make sure you are logged into your YouTube account and then follow these steps:
Step 1: Select the “… more” button located below the video, thumbnail, comment, or message.
Step 2: In the drop-down menu, select “Report”.
Step 3: If reporting a page, go to the channel’s page, click “About”, then select “Report” next to the flag icon.
Step 4: Select the best reason for reporting the video.
3.) ADJUST YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRIVACY SETTINGS
Once you’ve reported defamatory content on YouTube, it’s best to adjust your privacy settings on the platform as well as on other forms of social media. Utilize privacy settings to limit what others can learn about you publicly.
4.) SEEK PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT & GUIDANCE
If you have suffered financial harm or if the defamation on YouTube has caused other significant problems for you, contact an experienced internet defamation attorney who can help you to understand your legal options. An attorney may be able to contact YouTube on your behalf or help you pursue legal action against the defamer.