YouTube Prevents Identity Fraud With New Creator Fans Channel Policy

YouTube is taking firm action against identity fraud on its platform (photo: youtube)

JAKARTA - YouTube is taking firm action against identity fraud on its platform by updating policies for fan channels.

Starting August 21, the company will require account holders to clearly show that they are truly fan accounts of an artist, musician or content creator, not a direct scam from the original creator.

"If you operate a fan channel, you have to clarify your channel name or convince viewers that your channel does not represent the creators, artists, or the original entity," YouTube said in its updated policy, quoted Friday, June 23.

A fan channel, according to YouTube, was created to present content based on content from the original creator, despite the slight and total impersonation differences.

In its new rules, YouTube says that fan channels do not create identifiers (names or channel handles) and the same images as the original creators.

They apply differences, such as space inserted into names or zero replacing the letters O.

And, fan channels are strictly prohibited from preparing channels using someone's name and image, then posting comments on other channels as if they were posted by the person.

If fan channels do this, or even copy the full view of the original creator channel, as small details as profile photos or backgrounds, they can be stopped.

"Contents meant to emulate a person or channel are not permitted on YouTube. YouTube also imposes trademark holders rights. If channels, or content in the channel, cause confusion about advertised sources of goods and services, it may not be allowed," said YouTube.

The Google-owned platform also recommends that creators be willing to state when they have or know of fan channels.