© 2012 Coffee Loving Skeptic youtube censorship

YouTube banning videos that might offend the religious!

Thunderf00t on Youtube posted the above video, and had this to say:

I just can’t believe youtube’s really changing its policy this badly. Sure the terms of service have long essentially defined everything as hate speech while encouraging people to voice controversial opinions (yes very mixed messages!). In practice this means the policy is defined by how its enforced. Up till recently I thought youtube did an excellent job of allowing vibrant discussion of controversial topics:- a mature and responsible policy that would make anyone who espoused the virtues of the Enlightenment happy!

Then I got four videos taken down in half an hour, and a ‘privacy notifications’ against a further two. Believe it or not, the privacy notifications were against videos where I documented a muslim guy hunting for and dropping my docs. WTF, seriously W-T-F.
He drops my docs, YT scarcely bats an eyelid, now he says the video calling him on it is violating his privacy?

The following videos were taken down, according to YT after review by their dedicated members who determined these videos violated terms of use. This can only make sense if its ‘Youtube-Malaysia: Theocratic Chapter’. Malaysia is the place that recently sent a guy back to Saudi where he may face death for merely making three vanilla tweets about Islam. For me it doesnt seem impossible that there is an element of disconnect between what ‘Youtube Malaysia’ and the rest of the world regard as religiously offensive.

I can only hope that it really is this simple, that it’s just an error by an overzealous censor. If its a change in policy, its an ill wind that doesn’t blow anyone any good.

Basically, if you’re part of a loud enough group you can censor anything you want if you say that it “offends” you. I find the parts of the Qu’ran and the bible that advocate murder, child abuse, slavery, genocide, sexism, paedophilia, and are anti-science offensive to common sense. But, I’m just 1 person who represents no group of people threatening YouTube or spreading death threats so who am I?

So, YouTube, it’s ok for religious zealots to post their vile abusive messages of hate and intolerance, but we can’t challenge it? You, Google, are pathetic.

Where does this leave satire?

Where does this leave freedom FROM religion, and not just freedom OF religion?

Where does this leave free speech?

It’s a dangerous precedent being set by the world’s largest video website, owned by the world’s largest and most influential search engine provider.

Show your support by letting YouTube know you are also disgusted by this. Even if you’re not an atheist, any rational person must see this is just plain wrong.

28 Comments

  1. Posted February 26, 2012 at 9:37 pm | #

    I am offended therefore you cannot say what you say. But if it you censor my religious intolerance then you are oppressing me. The logic of the mad.

  2. Posted February 26, 2012 at 10:10 pm | #

    The sad thing is, that’s exactly what is happening :/

  3. Denis
    Posted February 26, 2012 at 10:38 pm | #

    Religion up to its old medieval tricks of banning dissent.

  4. Posted February 27, 2012 at 2:31 am | #

    of ?[uhv, ov; unstressed uhv or, especially before consonants, uh]
    1.
    (used to indicate distance or direction from, separation, deprivation, etc.): within a mile of the church; south of Omaha; to be robbed of one’s money.

    Freedom of means freedom from

  5. drumstyx
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 4:01 am | #

    Fucking Muslims…

  6. Zebezian
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 4:06 am | #

    I’m religious and I disagree with this new YT policy. It’s stupid for them to do such a thing.

  7. Travis Gorney
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 4:19 am | #

    I abhor bullshit censorship like this!!

  8. Steve
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 4:32 am | #

    Grow the fuck up. This is a private site. They can take down whatever shitty video you post, not matter what the content. If you don’t like it go else where. This doesn’t affect any of your rights, and this is not censorship. You are pathetic for thinking that because some of your videos were taken down that you tube is actively banning videos that might offend religious people.

    Censorship would be if you tube came to your own personal site/blog and had it taken down. Not them taking down your content off of their site.

  9. zapnost
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 4:49 am | #

    We have followed Britain’s lead and are rapidly becoming a censored surveillance society. The post 9/11 movement to create a new society structured by a new set of rules that override and shunt aside the constitution is opposed by a lonely few. I always knew there were a lot of dumb people, I never realized there were so many. I guess what Christians need to learn is that unless they kill innocents en masse over every perceived slight they will simply not get any respect.

  10. Science Rules
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 5:00 am | #

    The Dark Ages never ended.

  11. Mr. Camel Jockey
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 5:02 am | #

    Dats right!
    Mohammed is god’s messenger…
    Uh no, Jesus is da guy…
    Oops, I meant Moses….
    Noooo – sorry I shuda said Joseph Smith…
    Damn, it’s Mary Baker Eddy…
    Excuse me while I throw-up in your towel.

  12. Science Rules
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 5:02 am | #

    The Dark Ages never ended. I’m serious!!

  13. Joe Black
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 5:16 am | #

    I have enjoyed much of Youtube for years, yet am extremely disappointed YT is allowing themselves to be so disgustingly controlled by organized efforts designed solely to censor based on religious beliefs.

    Stooping to such level would be hunting religious docs and organizing similar complaint campaigns, but that would only further promote this Inquisition styled influence of ridiculous removals. I want to see what is out there opinion wise, and am open minded no matter if I agree.

    I don’t want such access affected by personal agenda. I am surprised Youtube is so blatantly and easily manipulated in this fashion.

  14. jews
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 5:17 am | #

    fuckin jews. its always the fucking jews’ fault.

  15. Mark
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 5:55 am | #

    …Private property, you can do whatever you want on it.

  16. Joe Black
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 5:58 am | #

    Wow, if you ever think you have already seen the epitome of absolute ignorance, just come to Youtube. There is always at least one benighted comment that will prove new heights of pure stupidity.

    Here’s a clue dimwit, actions need not violate legal rights to qualify as censorship. And free speech is not limited only to personal property that you own. You can assemble and speak freely anywhere.

    Youtube is by design forum open to free public viewing, commentary and expression of varied opinion. It is shameful that you lack the comprehensive ability to realize this fact while exercising your freedom to type your comment dumber than lemming dung.

    Removal of videos and/or comments based on the organized and purposed efforts of religious agenda is certainly censorship. It matters not that your displayed idiocy prevents you from understanding this truth. Try to get in touch w/ some reality before you open your mouth again to prove yourself the absolute fool.

  17. Jules
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 6:14 am | #

    What if I find religion offensive.. This is probably the stupidest shit ever.. Im sick of religious people thinking they own the fucking world.

  18. Dale
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 8:20 am | #

    Register as a company
    Create a business model
    Advertise
    Sell shares
    Advertise
    Start a new file sharing site.
    Why should we put up with crap like this?

  19. Matt
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 12:35 pm | #

    People who follow religons aren’t a problem; it’s the idiots who “lead” the religon who are the problem.

  20. Samuel Oakley
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 12:38 pm | #

    YouTube needs a serious review of its policies. No belief should be excempt from criticism or “offense”.

  21. Nick
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 1:04 pm | #

    Once again Islam scares everyone into doing what they want.

  22. TimTam
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 1:58 pm | #

    What does “dropping your docs” mean?

  23. Jonathan
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 9:45 pm | #

    “Dropping one’s docs” or “doxing” someone means the release of one’s personal information (from the full real name of a person to their home address and phone number), traditionally for the purposes of (sometimes organized) harassment.

  24. deedee
    Posted February 27, 2012 at 10:10 pm | #

    WHERE’S THE NEW YOU TUBE??

  25. Hannah
    Posted February 28, 2012 at 6:06 pm | #

    Have any of you read the book 1984?

    Some will say its an extreme comparison, but surrendering your rights and handing control of your lives over to a more powerful organization with the understanding that IT will protect, inform, and educate you sounds like a terrible idea to me.

    And a little bit of censorship goes a long way.

  26. Joe Black
    Posted February 28, 2012 at 6:51 pm | #

    If you actually did read 1984, you’d understand that accepting wrong doing, including unjust censorship, is the ultimate failure. And that speaking out against such atrocity IS the right thing to do.

  27. Posted March 1, 2012 at 2:29 am | #

    Thanks for the compliment I am glad you like to the comments. I really wish u keep on giving these course with some new strategies.appreciate your work, keep it up…

  28. TCLA
    Posted April 14, 2012 at 8:03 pm | #

    It’s getting pretty bad, with fundamentalist Christians now posting clearly harassing comments and goading other religious groups into arguments and getting away with it. They’re going after Pagans and GLBTs especially, stand up to them and you’ll get your account suspended. YT is selectively applying their new restrictions, members of the “majority religion” are getting a free pass while anyone who so much as defends themselves against unprovoked harassment gets punished. Sick.

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