The Case Against YouTube | Alabama Investigative Video


The following lays out the case why we believe that YouTube has discriminated against Live Action in the removal of our video. This page allows you to watch the banned video, learn why YouTube was wrong to remove it and what you can do to help end this unfair discrimination.

THE VIDEO IN QUESTION: "Alabama Investigative Video"

  
NOTE: This video discloses the first and last name a Planned Planned staffer. In the video version we submitted to YouTube, we blocked the audio and text of the staffer last name in compliance with YouTube rules. All other content in the alternate version was unchanged.

HISTORY

June 30th, 2009: Live Action uploads the "Alabama Investigative Video"
July 8th, 2009: YouTube notifies Live Action via email that they are going to remove our video within 48 hours if we do not remove it.
July 9th, 2009: Live Action replies to the YouTube email saying that "...we are requesting for you to let us know exactly where in our video we violate the privacy of an individual." (see full email)
July 10th, 2009: YouTube removes the "Alabama Investigative Video"
July 22nd, 2009: YouTube still has not responded to Live Action over this matter.

 

YOUTUBE'S STANDARD

YouTube does not permit video that shows the identifiable face or full name of an individual per their policy listed below. We have uploaded many investigative videos (that are still live) where we have obscured the face and disclosed only the clinic workers last name. In all of these cases, YouTube has allowed these videos to remain live.

Screen Capture from YouTube Help

 

WHY THE VIDEO MEETS YOUTUBE'S STANDARD

We did not disclose audio or video that "uniquly identifies" the person in the video. We did not show any identifiable images, in fact, our video showed no images of any persons that did not give consent to be in the video. The audio in the video does not by voice or content of the voice, uniquly identifiy the person involved. Finally, no full names were disclosed, only first names as was consistent with our pervious (and still live) videos which have received hundreds of thousands of views without removal.


BE PART OF THE SOLUTION!

Contact YouTube and ask them why the "LiveActionFilms" video was removed.
YouTube web form. (select Video removal)

YouTube, LLC
901 Cherry Ave.
San Bruno, CA 94066
Phone: +1 650-253-0000 or 650-343-2960
Fax: +1 650-253-0001

Press can ask YouTube about this at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


LETTER TO YOUTUBE

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Dear YouTube:

We are concerned that YouTube staff is censoring videos based on ideology, despite YouTube's claim to uphold fair standards.

The following links provide the background and case why YouTube should restore our videos:

The Case Against YouTube's Removal of Live Action's "Alabama Investigative Video"
http://liveaction.org/youtube/the-case-for-alabama-investigative-video

The Case Against YouTube's Removal of Live Action's "Planned Parenthood Counseling Lie"
http://liveaction.org/youtube/the-case-for-planned-parenthood-counseling-lie-video

We ask that YouTube will restore their customer's trust and live up to its own rules by doing the following:

1. Promptly reinstate both banned videos

2. Remove the “strike” against the account “liveactionfilms”

3. Assure Live Action and the YouTube's community that YouTube is
truly opposed to ideological censorship and is taking steps to prevent this from happening again.

4. Provide Live Action with an email and phone contact representative at YouTube to ensure that any potential future issues are resolved promptly

Sincerely,
-The Undersigned

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