The impact of deplatforming the far right: an analysis of YouTube and BitChute

• DOI: 10.1080/1369118x.2024.2346524
• Publication Date: 2024-05-06T16:17:13Z
• Authors: Adrian Rauchfleisch; Jonas Kaiser
• Keywords: Far right; Disinformation; Moderation

The content moderation practice of deplatforming, i.e., the removal undesired actors, has become common on social media platforms such as YouTube. Our study aims to examine impact deplatforming prominent far-right channels In our study, we are particularly interested in Alex Jones, James Allsup, or Red Ice TV understand them. To do so, analyze two datasets: We check whether 11,198 YouTube have been removed 22 months between 2018 and 2019 for what reason. then focus far right deplatformed found a new home alternative video platform BitChute. time frame this includes some critically important figures. analysis shows that effectively minimizes reach disinformation extreme speech, allowing kind cannot mitigate negative effect being