YouTube, owned by Google, has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump after his account was suspended following the January 6, 2021 attacks. The settlement allocates $22 million to the Trust for the National Mall and a White House ballroom construction, with the remainder going to other parties. This settlement follows similar agreements with Meta and X, making Google the third major tech company to settle lawsuits related to Trump’s post-presidency actions. Legal experts previously predicted these cases would be difficult to win. The settlement, which does not admit liability, came before a scheduled court hearing and barely impacts Alphabet’s significant market value.
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YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet, announced it will reinstate creators banned for violating now-defunct COVID-19 and election misinformation policies. This decision reflects the company’s commitment to free speech and its recognition of conservative voices on the platform. The move follows content moderation rollbacks from other tech companies and pressures from conservative figures. The company’s decision to reinstate banned accounts comes as tech CEOs are seeking closer relationships with former President Donald Trump.
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The FDA’s chief vaccine regulator, Vinay Prasad, demanded the removal of six YouTube videos featuring himself, which were hosted on a channel run by Dr. Jonathan Howard, a critic of medical misinformation. Howard’s entire channel, containing numerous videos of doctors and commentators, was subsequently deleted by YouTube, citing copyright infringement. Howard stated his intention was to preserve public comments made by these individuals during the early pandemic. The videos were a collection of public statements. A spokesperson for the FDA stated Howard’s actions constituted copyright violation and that the videos remain available on Prasad’s podcast channel.
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YouTube is introducing a new age-verification system in the U.S., utilizing AI to determine viewers’ ages based on their viewing history. The system, which will initially affect a small portion of users, will impose age-appropriate restrictions if a viewer is identified as under 18, including limiting ad personalization and implementing content restrictions. Users can correct any misidentification through various verification methods. This initiative aims to enhance safety, following legal and political pressure to better protect minors online.
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President Lee Jae-myung has directed the government to develop strategies to combat the proliferation of fake news on platforms like YouTube, citing the financial incentives driving its spread. He proposed punitive measures, including exemplary damages, to deter those disseminating false information. Additionally, Lee addressed the relationship with Vietnam, requesting a review of potential actions to strengthen ties, including increased acceptance of Vietnamese workers as a humanitarian gesture. Finally, the President also called for reform of the public housing system to curb property price increases and return profits to the public sector.
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In the second quarter, Google removed almost 11,000 YouTube channels and other accounts associated with state-backed propaganda efforts originating from China, Russia, and other entities. The majority of the channels taken down were linked to China, disseminating content in both Chinese and English that supported the People’s Republic of China and President Xi Jinping while commenting on U.S. affairs. Over 2,000 channels were removed due to their connection to Russia, featuring content in multiple languages that supported Russia and criticized the West. Additionally, Google eliminated channels linked to RT, the Russian state-controlled media outlet, which allegedly paid influencers to create content.
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Russell Brand’s career trajectory, beginning with stand-up comedy, transitioned to successful television and radio presenting, notably with *Big Brother’s Big Mouth*. This propelled him to high-profile awards ceremonies and various broadcasting roles, though marked by controversies, culminating in his BBC dismissal following a phone call scandal. Subsequently, he pursued a Hollywood acting career before pivoting to YouTube, where he cultivated a large audience through commentary on politics, society, and health, often promoting alternative viewpoints and conspiracy theories. This new phase solidified his status as a controversial public figure and self-proclaimed wellness expert.
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Andrew Cross, the popular YouTuber known as “Desert Drifter,” passed away at age 36 due to injuries sustained in a severe car accident in Colorado on January 31st. After undergoing brain surgery and a period of treatment, he succumbed to his injuries on March 4th. His family announced his peaceful passing, surrounded by loved ones. Cross’s YouTube channel documented his adventurous explorations of the American West, amassing a half-million subscribers.
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A Moscow court levied a 3.8 million ruble ($41,530) fine against Google for YouTube content providing instructions on surrendering to Ukrainian forces. This penalty follows Russia’s ongoing practice of fining foreign tech platforms for allegedly illegal content related to the Ukraine conflict. The fine comes amidst accusations by critics that Russia is intentionally throttling YouTube speeds to suppress dissenting viewpoints. Google has yet to publicly respond to the ruling and denies Russia’s claims of equipment failures causing the speed issues.
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The Kremlin’s announcement that President Putin is personally investigating the issue of slow YouTube speeds in Russia has sparked a flurry of reactions, ranging from disbelief to dark humor. It’s a statement that, on the surface, seems almost comical, given the multitude of far more pressing issues facing Russia. The sheer absurdity of a world leader dedicating time and resources to troubleshooting internet speeds, while a major war rages and economic sanctions cripple the nation, is undeniably striking.
The situation is further complicated by Russia’s long-standing antagonistic relationship with Google, YouTube’s parent company. The hefty fines levied against Google, figures so astronomical they verge on the fictional, suggest a level of conflict that goes far beyond simple technical difficulties.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood