Tegan and Sara and YouTube Creators Criticize YouTube for Restricting LGBTQ Videos

by Malachi Weaver

Many top YouTube creators are criticizing the platform over its “Restricted Mode” feature, which many says is unnecessarily blocking LGBTQ-related videos. Restricted Mode, as explained by YouTube is meant to be an “optional feature used by a very small subset of users who want to have a more limited YouTube experience.” Users began to point out last week, however, that the feature also censors videos referencing same-sex issues, as well as coming-out videos.

The Restricted Modes uses “community flagging, age-restrictions, and other signals to identify and filter out potentially inappropriate content” and is often by used by schools, libraries, and parents to avoid NFSW content.

YouTube responded to the criticism on Sunday (March 19), by insisting that “LGBTQ+ videos are available in Restricted Mode, but videos that discuss more sensitive issues may not be.”

Many YouTube creators have criticized the platform since YouTube’s announcement, including Canadian pop-rock group Tegan and Sara.

See more of the fallout towards YouTube below.

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