YouTube bans gang videos

YouTube has introduced new rules in a bid to clamp down on videos posted by gangs that glamorise guns and knives.

The rules implemented by Google, owner of the video-sharing website, apply only to the UK and are designed to ban videos "showing weapons with the aim of intimidation".

YouTube operates country-specific bans in other countries – in Germany there is a ban on Nazi-related footage, for example.

A report issued in July by a cross-party government committee singled out YouTube for not protecting surfers from the "dark side of the internet".

In the report, MPs called for the introduction of a 'one-click' facility that would let you report directly to the police clips which contain images of abuse and violence. However, this recommendation was not adopted by Google, which introduced new guidelines this week.

"There has been particular concern over videos in the UK that involve showing weapons with the aim of intimidation, and this is one of the areas we are addressing," said a spokeswoman for Google.

The Home Secretary said she was 'extremely pleased' with the move by Google.

"I would like to see other internet service providers follow suit to reinforce our message that violence will not be tolerated, either on the internet or in the real world," said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

Over 10 hours of content is added every minute to the video-sharing website. It is up to the community to moderate the content, and material that is offensive should be flagged and reported to YouTube staff, who then decide whether it should be removed.

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