YouTube to remove cancer treatment misinformation from alternative medicine practitioners

Such treatments listed in the blogpost include "garlic cures cancer," or"take vitamin C instead of radiation therapy", would be removed. They will streamline existing medical misinformation guidelines where content contradicts local health authorities or the World Health Organization (WHO).


Video streaming platform YouTube will streamline existing medical misinformation guidelines for specific health conditions, treatments, and substances where content contradicts local health authorities or the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Starting today and ramping up in the coming weeks, we will begin removing content that promotes cancer treatments proven to be harmful or ineffective, or content that discourages viewers from seeking professional medical treatment," YouTube said in a blog post on August 15.

Such treatments listed in the blogpost include "garlic cures cancer," or"take vitamin C instead of radiation therapy", which would be removed -- the company said.

As part of the "long-term vision" for its medical misinformation policies, the guidelines will fall under three categories - Prevention, Treatment, and Denial, the blogpost by YouTube's Director and Global Head of Healthcare and Public Health Partnerships, Garth Graham and company's VP and Global Head of Trust and Safety, Matt Halprin said.

"These policies will apply to specific health conditions, treatments, and substances where content contradicts local health authorities or WHO," the blogpost said.

YouTube will age-gate content or surface an information panel under such videos for additional context, the post added.

Exceptions to such posts include public interest content like comments made by national political candidates on the campaign trail that disputes health authority guidance, or graphic footage from active warzones or humanitarian crises.

"We may also make exceptions for personal testimonies or content that discusses the results of a specific medical study," the post said.

The step is said to simplify the company's approach for creators, viewers, and partners.

Nepal Flash Floods: Tamil Nadu Govt Announces Helplines for Stranded Tourists

The TN Govt has announced 24/7 helpline numbers to assist residents from the state stranded in Nepal amid flash floods....

Man Booked for Car Accident, Assault Near Vadavalli in Coimbatore

A 22-year-old man was arrested in Coimbatore’s Vadavalli after allegedly assaulting a man following a dispute over rash...

Milad-un-Nabi: 2,000 Kg of Ghee Rice Prepared in Coimbatore; Meal Distribution Reaches Over 20,000 People

On the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi today, the Sunnath Jamaath organised a meal distribution programme for the 11th consecu...

Valparai’s Chinnakalar Records Highest Rainfall of 57 mm in Coimbatore District

Chinnakalar in Coimbatore’s Valparai region recorded the district’s highest rainfall of 57 mm, while Siruvani received 1...

Special Trains: Mysuru–Kannur and Kannur–Bengaluru Services to Halt at Coimbatore’s Podanur

Southern Railway’s Salem Division has announced two special trains—Mysuru–Kannur on August 29 and Kannur–Bengaluru Canto...

Price Dispute: Bakery Owner Arrested for Assaulting Water Supplier’s Son with Sickle in Coimbatore

A bakery owner in Vilankurichi, Coimbatore, was arrested after allegedly attacking the son of a water-can supplier with...