YouTube accused of profiting from anti-Muslim content despite policy violations
YouTube is facing criticism for reportedly profiting from content promoting anti-Muslim sentiments on its platform, despite having guidelines that prohibit such material. Channels like Sudarshan TV have allegedly been permitted to broadcast divisive content that targets Muslims, attracting advertisements from prominent brands and resulting in YouTube profiting indirectly from these narratives.
Through its Super Chat feature, which allows users to pay for highlighted messages during live streams, individuals sharing Hindutva ideology have been able to spread inflammatory messages. In a recent incident, popular creator Ajeet Bharti hosted a stream alleging a "Muslim conspiracy" involving "love jihad." During the stream, a viewer reportedly paid to post a message about forming a violent group, which violated YouTube’s policies on dangerous content but remained visible on the platform despite multiple reports.
Bharti allegedly earned Rs 2,100 in one stream and Rs 14,000 in another for similar content, benefiting from YouTube’s revenue-sharing model, where creators retain 70% of Super Chat earnings. This has raised concerns over the platform’s role in monetising hate speech. Critics point to YouTube's lack of transparency in enforcing its policies, especially around high-profile Super Chats, and question its effectiveness in moderating harmful content.
Research shows that nearly half of India’s population relies on social media for news, with 54% using YouTube as a primary source.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
