City
Epaper

New YouTube test to hide comments on videos in India

By IANS | Updated: June 21, 2019 17:50 IST

In a bid to curb the spread of hateful and racist comments on its platform, Google-owned YouTube is experimenting with hiding comments on videos by default and the test has gone live in India.

Open in App

The new feature, being experimented on Android for now, hides the comments that are displayed below the video unless a viewer taps the "Comments" button.

"We are testing a few different options on how to display comments on the watch page. This is one of many small experiments we run all the time on YouTube and we'll consider rolling features out more broadly based on feedback on these experiments," a YouTube spokesperson told on Friday.

Even though the test feature is on by default currently, creators have the choice of turning the feature off which would traditionally display comments under their videos like the usual format.

For now, it remains unclear if YouTube would expand the experiment from Android to iOS or not.

For those who visit YouTube for videos and not to comment could easily keep themselves out of any hate, misinformation, toxicity or controversy that may have come up in the "Comments" section.

In February, YouTube announced that it would no longer recommend videos that "come close" to violating its community guidelines, such as conspiracy or medically inaccurate videos like those claiming the earth is flat or making false claims about historic events.

In a similar attempt and to channelise user-focus on sharing and viewing better and sensible content on its platform, Facebook-owned photo-messaging app Instagram is also planning on hiding the 'Like' counts for posts on its app.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalDeveloped Countries must reach net-zero far earlier and deliver climate finance in trillions, not billions: Bhupender Yadav

International"No one is above law": Bangladesh Chief Advisor on Sheikh Hasina's death sentence

International"Pre-determined verdict": Awami League leader slams 'Illegal, unconstitutional' Yunus govt on Sheikh Hasina's death sentence

EntertainmentGeorge Clooney calls failure a better teacher than success

InternationalTrump to finalise F-35 Fighter Jet deal with Saudi Arabia

टेकमेनिया Realted Stories

TechnologyTelangana Cabinet clears Bill for welfare of Gig workers

TechnologyGati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, DRDO sign MoU to develop smart tech solutions for national security

TechnologyCSIR-ISRO Space Meet organised to strengthen India's preparedness for human spaceflight programme

TechnologyPrime Minister Modi meets 16th Finance Commission's delegation

TechnologyMP: National children’s science exhibition to kick off tomorrow