YouTube is making it easier for politicians and journalists to remove AI deepfakes from its platform ahead of this year’s midterm elections. However, it remains silent on who currently has access to this tool.
The video streaming giant announced today that it is expanding access to its similarity detection tool to journalists, government officials, and political candidates. The tool flags videos that feature a user’s likeness in AI-generated content and allows users to request removal of unapproved videos.
“From breaking news to forums that spark civil discussion, YouTube is where the world comes to understand the events that shape their lives,” Amjad Hanif, YouTube vice president of creator products, and Leslie Miller, vice president of government affairs and public policy, said in a blog post. “As AI-generated content evolves, the individuals at the center of the conversation need reliable tools to protect their identities.”
This expansion comes as AI deepfakes have become so prominent that there are growing concerns about their potential to spread misinformation, especially regarding elections. The news comes as YouTube increasingly leans into AI.
Last year, the company introduced a custom version of Google’s video generation model Veo 3 to Shorts, a vertical video feed similar to YouTube’s TikTok and Instagram’s Reels. This tool, along with other AI editing features on the platform, has made it easier than ever for users to create deepfakes. At the same time, YouTube is also trying to roll out tools to reduce risk.
The company’s similarity detection tool works similarly to Content ID, YouTube’s copyright reporting system, but targets human faces. YouTube began testing the system with celebrities and athletes in 2024, and last year expanded it to include YouTube creators in its partner program.
To enroll in the program, eligible users must verify their identity using a combination of a video selfie and government ID. The company said the data submitted will be used for validation purposes only and will not be used to train Google’s AI.
Once authenticated, users can see videos that use their likeness and request removal. However, YouTube emphasizes that just because a video is detected and requested to be removed does not necessarily mean it will be removed.
“YouTube has a long history of protecting free expression and content in the public interest. This includes preserving content such as parody and satire, even when used to criticize world leaders and influential figures,” the company’s blog post reads. “We will continue to carefully evaluate these exceptions when we receive removal requests.”
A YouTube spokesperson told Gizmodo that the company plans an “extensive international rollout” and will expand access to the tool in the coming weeks and months.
YouTube declined to comment on which politicians and journalists are included in the initial trial, including whether US President Donald Trump was invited. Trump himself and his administration have been known to post AI-generated content using the likenesses of political and media adversaries.
