YouTube's advertising policy

13.6.2017

Question for written answer E-003926-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD)

In response to pressure from high-volume advertisers who complained about their adverts being displayed alongside content they considered to promote terrorism and anti-Semitism, the YouTube video-sharing platform has updated its advertising policies.

However, some YouTube contributors are claiming that their videos have been unfairly deprived of the advertising proceeds from the platform and have lost the source of income this provides, hence stifling the output of creative and informative content.

The problem seems to stem from the algorithm used, which puts a blanket block on advertising alongside content on terrorism and anti-Semitism, even if it addresses these subjects critically or from alternative angles.

Can the Commission state:

Whether it is aware of these changes, which could in practice constitute a violation of the freedom of expression enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU?

Whether, not least in the light of the answer to Written Question E-000782-2017, in which the Commission says it has expressed its preliminary view that Google is abusing a dominant position with regard to AdSense, it does not consider that YouTube’s position on the market could also constitute a violation of competition rules under Articles 101-102 TFEU?

What specific measures it will take to ensure compliance with the Treaties?