Google came up with a new policy to ban content that claims climate change is a hoax or a scam. The ban cover advertisements that contradict the ‘’ scientific consensus around the existence and causes of climate change.
Furthermore, the company says that it is responding to the concerns of the advertisers.
The company says it will not run ads on climate-changing-denying YouTube videos and other content. Meanwhile, It will also prohibit ads promoting these claims.
Misinformation monetization
YouTube Content creators who monetize their videos containing misinformation about climate change are not able to do it again. The changes stopped them from earning advertising revenues including content that denies climate change.
Previously, YouTube had announced its policy for content that includes misinformation about Covid-19. It is decided that the content containing misinformation about the Covid-19 virus that mislead many people will be ban. Neither any creator be able to monetize the content.
Additionally, the accounts of those creators will be terminated.
Following the same policy, google wants to provide a platform where people feel safe, and not be harm by misinformation.
According to a 2020 report by Avaaz, a non-profit organization run by Fadi Quran, who promotes activism on different issues such as climate change? They accused YouTube of ‘’ incentivizing this climate misinformation content via its monetization program’’
Fadi Quran says in a talk with BBC, ‘’it could turn the tide on the climate denial economy’’
‘’With three weeks left for the critical Glasgow summit, and the climate misinformation on the rise to undermine it, other social media platforms must quickly follow Google’s leadership’’.
Measures taken by Google
Google’s advertising team post a blog on Wednesday following the announcement, in which range of measures to help tackle climate change including;
- In the US, Google Maps will show the most fuel-efficient way if it isn’t already the fastest one.
- Nest thermostat, a new feature to help users maximize clean energy
- Carbon emissions information to google flights which includes emission information per seat
In a conversation with BBC, Greenpeace’s Silvia Pastorelli welcome the new policy announcement from google.
She said, ‘’ nowhere near enough to stop the overwhelming amount of climate disinformation, greenwashing and outright climate denial on big tech’s platforms’’.
Consequently, it is mark as a first step in trying to disincentivize those looking for profit spreading misinformation. Climate change is a real threat to humans and no one can deny its consequences in near future.
