YouTube bans vaccine nonsense, such as claims that vaccines alter genetic makeup

Enlarge / A COVID-19 vaccine. (credit: Getty Images | Morsa Images)

YouTube is banning a wide range of anti-vaccine misinformation, saying it will remove videos that falsely claim vaccines cause diseases or alter people's genetic makeup, that vaccines are used to track people, or that vaccines "are part of a depopulation agenda."

"Specifically, content that falsely alleges that approved vaccines are dangerous and cause chronic health effects, claims that vaccines do not reduce transmission or contraction of disease, or contains misinformation on the substances contained in vaccines will be removed," the Google-owned YouTube said in today's announcement. "This would include content that falsely says that approved vaccines cause autism, cancer or infertility, or that substances in vaccines can track those who receive them. Our policies not only cover specific routine immunizations like for measles or Hepatitis B, but also apply to general statements about vaccines."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was among the first purveyors of anti-vaccine misinformation to have a channel removed from YouTube today.

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