Coronavirus: False claims viewed by millions on YouTube

Leo Daniels • May 19, 2020

This is a subtitle for your new post

More than a quarter of the most-viewed coronavirus videos on YouTube contain “misleading or inaccurate information”, a study suggests.

In total, the misleading videos had been viewed more than 62 million times.

Among the false claims was the idea that pharmaceutical companies already have a coronavirus vaccine but are refusing to sell it.

YouTube said it was committed to reducing the spread of harmful misinformation.

The researchers suggested “good quality, accurate information” had been uploaded to YouTube by government bodies and health experts.

But it said the videos were often difficult to understand and lacked the popular appeal of YouTube stars and vloggers.

The study, published online by BMJ Global Health, looked at the most widely viewed coronavirus-related videos in English, as of 21 March.

After excluding duplicate videos, videos longer than an hour and videos that did not include relevant audio or visual material, they were left with 69 to analyse.

The videos were scored on whether they presented exclusively factual information about viral spread, coronavirus symptoms, prevention and potential treatments.

Videos from government agencies scored significantly better than other sources, but were less widely viewed.

Of the 19 videos found to include misinformation:

  • about a third came from entertainment news sources
  • national news outlets accounted for about a quarter
  • internet news sources also account for about a quarter
  • 13% had been uploaded by independent video-makers
The report recommends that governments and health authorities should collaborate with entertainment news sources and social media influencers to make appealing, factual content that is more widely viewed.

YouTube said in a statement: “We are always interested to see research and exploring ways to partner with researchers even more closely. However it’s hard to draw broad conclusions from research that uses very small sample sizes and the study itself recognises the limitations of the sample.

“We’re committed to providing timely and helpful information at this critical time. To date we’ve removed thousands and thousands of videos for violating our COVID-19 policies and directed tens of billions of impressions to global and local health organisations from our home page and information panels.

“We’re committed to providing timely and helpful information at this critical time, including raising authoritative content, reducing the spread of harmful misinformation and showing information panels, using NHS and World Health Organization (WHO) data, to help combat misinformation.”

 

We’re 1-fix, we can help you secure your business

At 1-fix, we take a realistic approach to technology – ensuring our client’s systems are best protected.

If you have any concerns, questions or simply want to explore how to better secure your business, please do get in touch with the team for a FREE demonstration, consultation to explore how exposed your business might be and identify actions to take.

Join Our Mailing List

All sign-ups are handled inline with our privacy policy and can unsubscribe at any time.

IT Support Services
Cybersecurity Deep-Dive
IT Cloud Migration Service

Recent Blogs

AI image of a team of people working on a computer
By Craig Atkins July 1, 2025
Discover the key benefits of outsourced IT support, from enhanced cybersecurity and 24/7 monitoring to cost savings and regulatory compliance.
Someone using a laptop at an airport with a VPN connected screen showing.
By Callum Hurst June 30, 2025
Stay cyber secure while travelling with 10 expert tips. Use VPNs, avoid public Wi-Fi, and protect your data on the go.
Photo of Craig Atkins with the Event title and Date written next to him
By Jess Dugdale June 17, 2025
In a world where AI is changing how we work and compete, security is more important than ever. We are gathering industry leaders and AI experts for a special roundtable event. This event will focus on a key topic: AI security.
AI image of a team of people working at a desk looking at devices. Microsoft 365 logo is shown
By Craig Atkins June 5, 2025
Microsoft 365 Business Basic offers a range of cloud-based services designed to empower businesses to work smarter and more efficiently. Let's delve into what this package includes and how it can benefit your organisation.
AI image of two office workers looking at each other. The  words DMARC,
By Jess Dugdale June 2, 2025
We’re excited to announce an informative webinar featuring Elliot Wilkie from Brigantia and Craig Atkins from 1-Fix, diving deep into the world of DMARC on 8th July at 2 PM . This is an essential session for anyone looking to secure their email communications, understand DMARC compliance, and enhance their email deliverability.
AI image of a group of people working and looking at one screen in the middle.
By Jess Dugdale May 30, 2025
Businesses are constantly seeking ways to enhance productivity, collaboration, and security, all whilst managing costs effectively. Microsoft Office 365 presents a comprehensive solution that caters to these needs. Here’s a breakdown of the seven key benefits of using Office 365 for your business.
Show More