YouTube bans knife clips in UK

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 18 Sep 2008 at 10:26

YouTube has banned videos that display gun and knives, as Google moves to counter claims the site is being used to glamorise gang crimes.

The rule is UK specific and will prevent videos being uploaded "showing weapons with the aim of intimidation."

The site has always banned videos that directly threaten particular groups through "hate speech" or acts that might be considered illegal, but the move banning videos displaying weapons is a UK first.

"We recognise that there has been particular concern over videos in the UK that involve showing weapons with the aim of intimidation, and this is one of the areas we are addressing," says a YouTube spokesperson.

The measures come barely a week after the site introduced worldwide rules preventing content that "directly incites violence".

The site was pressured back in July to vet its content, with MPs claiming the site had a responsibility to protect people from the internet's "dark side".