YouTube is expanding its user privacy protection mechanism to include artificial intelligence (AI) content. The video streaming giant announced Thursday that users will be able to report AI-generated content that simulates their face or voice. Users can report such videos using the Privacy Complaint Process, an online reporting system that allows them to fill out a form to highlight their problem, share evidence of a privacy violation, and share information about the uploader. After submitting a complaint, it is manually reviewed according to several parameters, and if the complaint is found to be justified, the video is deleted.
YouTube allows users to report content generated by artificial intelligence
In a community post, YouTube revealed that it is expanding the privacy claim process for AI-generated content that replicates both face and voice. In November 2023, the company announced that it intends to introduce responsible AI innovation to the platform. At the time, he listed several new features he promised to introduce to protect users from misinformation and deepfakes.
A deepfake can be understood as synthetic media (generated by artificial intelligence or otherwise) that has been digitally altered to mimic another person. Lately, deepfake incidents have increased significantly. YouTube now allows users to use its existing privacy complaint process to report any AI-generated content that simulates their face or voice.
Users can also report a channel if they feel the channel is impersonating them. However, this will not be considered the same as a Community Guidelines strike, even if the creator’s video is removed through this process. Namely, YouTube disables the creator’s channel if he has received three warnings.
How YouTube’s privacy complaint process works
You can access YouTube’s privacy complaint form here. It’s a lengthy process where users are first guided through six pages that help users determine whether their privacy has been compromised and whether they’ve explored all other options before reaching out to the platform. This includes asking the user if they have been harassed, if they have contacted the person who uploaded the content, and if they have reviewed the Community Guidelines. They were also told that abuse of the process could result in account suspension.
However, for genuine privacy complaints, users can go through these steps to get to a long form where they are asked to share details of the incident, any evidence and information about the uploader. Once the form is submitted, YouTube evaluates the validity of the incident. After validation, the video is deleted from the platform.
