Violent Criminal Organizations Policy

YouTube · Official agreement

Read the agreement

12 of 19 cards in Content & IP Rights

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

The page also says YouTube does not allow misleading impersonation

Directly under the policy title, this saved page includes a paragraph about impersonation rather than violent organizations. It says YouTube does not allow unauthorized impersonation of a person, entity or channel when it may mislead viewers in a way that could harm the YouTube community. Impersonation may include deceptively copying the branding, content or usernames of individuals, channels or entities, and may also include using AI to copy someone's voice or likeness so that a channel appears to be owned or authorized by that person. The paragraph adds that YouTube also enforces trademark holders' rights.

Supporting quotations

YouTube does not allow unauthorized impersonation of a person, entity, or channel that may mislead viewers in a way that could harm the YouTube community.
Impersonation may include deceptively copying the branding, content, or usernames of individuals, channels or entities.
It may also include using AI to copy the voice or likeness of an individual, to make it appear as if the channel is owned or authorized by that individual.
YouTube also enforces trademark holder rights.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The rule covers impersonation that is unauthorized and that may mislead viewers in a way that could harm the YouTube community; it does not describe every use of another person's name or likeness.
  • "May include" lists examples of impersonation; it is not a complete definition.

Not stated here

  • The page does not explain why an impersonation paragraph appears under the violent extremist or criminal organizations heading. Its placement does not show that impersonation is enforced under this policy.
  • YouTube's separate impersonation and trademark policies are not supplied, so how trademark holder rights are enforced is not stated here.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Content meant to praise, promote or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations is not allowed

YouTube does not allow content intended to praise, promote or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations. The organizations themselves may not use YouTube for any purpose, recruitment included. The rule turns on the content's intent to praise, promote or aid; YouTube says it may in some cases make exceptions for content with educational, documentary, scientific or artistic context, including content in the public's interest, but that exception is not a pass to praise, promote or aid these organizations.

Supporting quotations

Content intended to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations is not allowed on YouTube.
These organizations are not allowed to use YouTube for any purpose, including recruitment.
In some cases, we may make exceptions for content with educational, documentary, scientific or artistic context, including content that is in the public’s interest.
This is not a pass to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Exceptions are discretionary ("may make exceptions", "in some cases") and limited to educational, documentary, scientific or artistic context or public-interest content; the exception never permits praising, promoting or aiding these organizations.

Not stated here

  • The page does not define "violent extremist or criminal organizations" beyond saying YouTube relies on many factors, including government and international designations.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Educational, documentary, scientific, artistic or public-interest content may be allowed with context

If you post content related to terrorism or crime for an educational, documentary, scientific or artistic purpose, YouTube asks you to give enough information in the video or audio itself for viewers to understand the context. Graphic or controversial footage that has enough context may still be age-restricted or shown behind a warning screen. YouTube may also make exceptions for content in the public's interest, such as congressional or parliamentary proceedings, campaign speeches, or debates over ongoing government actions. These are possible exceptions, not guarantees, and they do not allow praising, promoting or aiding violent extremist or criminal organizations.

Supporting quotations

If posting content related to terrorism or crime for an educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic purpose, be mindful to provide enough information in the video or audio itself so viewers understand the context.
Graphic or controversial footage with sufficient context may be subject to age-restrictions or a warning screen.
We may also make exceptions for content that is in the public’s interest, such as congressional or parliamentary proceedings, campaign speeches, or debates over ongoing government actions.
This is not a pass to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The context must be in the video or audio itself, not only elsewhere.
  • "May be subject to" and "may also make exceptions" mean YouTube decides case by case; sufficient context does not guarantee the content stays up without restrictions.

Not stated here

  • The page does not say how much context is "enough" or who decides whether content is in the public's interest.

Cross-references

Content & IP Rights · User right or choice

You can report content or a whole channel that violates this policy

If you find content that violates this policy, YouTube asks you to report it. If you have found a few videos or comments you want to report, you can report the channel instead of each item. The page points to separate instructions for reporting Community Guidelines violations.

Supporting quotations

If you find content that violates this policy, report it.
Instructions for reporting violations of our Community Guidelines are available here.
If you've found a few videos or comments that you would like to report, you can report the channel.

Not stated here

  • The linked reporting instructions are not part of this saved page, so the reporting steps are not supplied here.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Don't post content produced by these organizations, recruiting for them, or depicting hostages

Under this policy you should not post: content produced by violent extremist, criminal or terrorist organizations; content aimed at recruiting new members to those organizations; or content depicting hostages, or posted with the intent to solicit, threaten or intimidate on behalf of a criminal, extremist or terrorist organization. YouTube says the list of descriptions is not complete. Educational, documentary, scientific, artistic or public-interest exceptions may apply in some cases, but never as a pass to praise, promote or aid these organizations.

Supporting quotations

Don’t post content on YouTube if it fits any of the descriptions noted below.
Content produced by violent extremist, criminal, or terrorist organizations
Content aimed at recruiting new members to violent extremist, criminal, or terrorist organizations
Content depicting hostages or posted with the intent to solicit, threaten, or intimidate on behalf of a criminal, extremist, or terrorist organization

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The hostage item covers any content depicting hostages, while the solicit/threaten/intimidate item requires that intent on behalf of a criminal, extremist or terrorist organization.
  • Possible context exceptions are discretionary (see the exceptions card).

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Don't praise these organizations' figures, violent acts or symbols in order to promote them

You should not post content that praises or memorializes prominent terrorist, extremist or criminal figures in order to encourage others to carry out acts of violence; content that praises or justifies violent acts carried out by violent extremist, criminal or terrorist organizations; or content that shows those organizations' insignia, logos or symbols in order to praise or promote them. Two of these items depend on purpose: memorializing a figure is covered when it is done to encourage violence, and showing a symbol is covered when it is done to praise or promote the organization.

Supporting quotations

Don’t post content on YouTube if it fits any of the descriptions noted below.
Content praising or memorializing prominent terrorist, extremist, or criminal figures in order to encourage others to carry out acts of violence
Content praising or justifying violent acts carried out by violent extremist, criminal, or terrorist organizations
Content that depicts the insignia, logos, or symbols of violent extremist, criminal, or terrorist organizations in order to praise or promote them

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Showing insignia, logos or symbols is listed only when it is done in order to praise or promote the organization.
  • Praising or memorializing a figure is listed when it is done in order to encourage others to carry out acts of violence.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Don't post content that glorifies or promotes violent tragedies such as school shootings

The list of content you should not post also includes content that glorifies or promotes violent tragedies, with school shootings given as an example. Unlike most items on the list, this one is not tied to a named organization.

Supporting quotations

Don’t post content on YouTube if it fits any of the descriptions noted below.
Content that glorifies or promotes violent tragedies, such as school shootings

Qualifications & exceptions

  • School shootings are an example ("such as"), not the only kind of violent tragedy covered.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Examples: raw reuploads, celebratory songs or memorials, perpetrator footage and modded games

YouTube's examples of content that is not allowed include: raw, unmodified reuploads of content created by terrorist, criminal or extremist organizations; celebrating terrorist leaders or their crimes, or terrorist or criminal organizations, in songs or memorials; footage filmed by the perpetrator during a deadly or major violent event in which weapons, violence or injured victims can be seen or heard; and video game content developed or modified ("modded") to glorify a violent event or its perpetrators, or to support violent criminal or terrorist organizations.

Supporting quotations

Here are some examples of content that’s not allowed on YouTube.
Raw and unmodified reuploads of content created by terrorist, criminal, or extremist organizations
Celebrating terrorist leaders or their crimes in songs or memorials
Celebrating terrorist or criminal organizations in songs or memorials
Footage filmed by the perpetrator during a deadly or major violent event, in which weapons, violence, or injured victims are visible or audible
Video game content which has been developed or modified (“modded”) to glorify a violent event, its perpetrators, or support violent criminal or terrorist organizations

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The reupload example is limited to raw and unmodified copies; the page separately allows possible exceptions for content with educational, documentary, scientific or artistic context.
  • The footage example covers footage filmed by the perpetrator in which weapons, violence or injured victims are visible or audible.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Examples: inciting violence, glorifying violence against civilians and fundraising for these groups

The examples of content that is not allowed also include inciting others to commit violent acts against individuals or a defined group of people, glorifying violence against civilians, and fundraising for violent criminal, extremist or terrorist organizations.

Supporting quotations

Here are some examples of content that’s not allowed on YouTube.
Inciting others to commit violent acts against individuals or a defined group of people
Glorifying violence against civilians
Fundraising for violent criminal, extremist, or terrorist organizations

Not stated here

  • The page does not say whether the fundraising example covers fundraising that happens off YouTube but is promoted on it.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

The examples are not complete; don't post content you think might violate the policy

YouTube says the examples are only some examples, and asks you not to post content if you think it might violate this policy. Content can therefore be covered even if it matches none of the listed descriptions or examples.

Supporting quotations

Please remember these are just some examples, and don't post content if you think it might violate this policy.