YouTube updates the chain strike system with a single warning and more consistent sanctions

YouTube reviews its community guidelines with a new alert channel system that breaks the rules. The new system is intended to be clearer and more consistent. It's also the first time in nearly 10 years YouTube has updated the strike rules.

The most important change is a new warning strike that YouTube will begin broadcasting on February 25th. After the first violation of a rule by a channel, YouTube will issue a "single warning" without penalty, with the exception of deleting the offending content. "It's to make sure everyone takes the time to become familiar with our community guidelines," says YouTube.

After the single warning, YouTube's three-way system takes effect. As before, strikes lead to more and more serious penalties. They are reset if a channel does not break the rules for 90 days. This warning strike is a unique affair, and it will not be reset.

YouTube is also updating the sanctions for starting a strike. "Based on your comments, all strikes related to community guidelines will have the same penalty," the company said. More precisely:

• A first hit will block a chain for a week. Users will not be able to upload or post new content on YouTube. As before, this strike will expire after 90 days.
• A second strike during this 90-day period will result in a two-week freeze of downloads.
• Finally, a third strike during this 90-day period will force YouTube to close the channel.

YouTube deals with all the violations of the community guidelines are the same, which means that someone who gets a strike for, for example, a copyright infringement incurs the same punishment as one who spreads hate speech or violent threats.

According to YouTube, 98% of its users never violate the instructions of the community, and "94% of those who benefit from a first strike never get a second. "The company also adds mobile and on-site notifications to channel owners to help creators better know when and why they have been banned.

It remains to be seen whether the new system is sufficient to alleviate the existing problems with the three-position system, which, according to some creators, has become a tool of extortion of copyright and other practices. unfair. But at least it looks like YouTube is actively trying to make the process of what's banned or not banned a bit more consistent and transparent, and that can only be a good thing.