Google removed 34,000 YouTube channels in 2025 that were spreading false information and propaganda. Find out why this happened, which countries were involved, and how you can stay safe. Read tips on YouTube’s policies and avoiding fake news.
YouTube has become a big part of our daily lives. From cooking recipes to news and entertainment, we watch almost everything on YouTube. But did you know that some people use this platform to spread false information and propaganda?
In 2025, Google took major action to stop such activities by removing over 34,000 YouTube channels that were involved in spreading lies and propaganda. This news is important for everyone who uses YouTube. In this article, you will learn what this action was about, why it happened, and how you can protect yourself from misinformation.
What Did YouTube Do and Why?
In the second quarter of 2025 (April-June), Google removed 11,000 YouTube channels for spreading false information and propaganda. Since the start of the year, the total number of channels removed has reached 34,000.
What is propaganda? It means spreading information to confuse people or push a particular viewpoint.
When did this happen?
- January-March 2025: 23,000 channels removed
- April-June 2025: 11,000 channels removed
Why did Google take this step? –Google wants YouTube to remain a safe place for accurate and reliable information. When Google found out that some channels were spreading fake news and propaganda, it took action immediately. This move was made to keep YouTube safe and protect people from lies.
Google has a special team called the Threat Analysis Group (TAG) that works to find and stop these harmful activities.
How Many Channels Were Removed and Why?
Google removed over 34,000 channels in 2025 for
- Spreading false information: Sharing fake news and misleading videos.
- Propaganda: Promoting the interests of certain governments or groups.
- Interfering with elections: Misleading people on political issues.
Example: –In May 2025, Google removed 20 YouTube channels, 4 ad accounts, and 1 blog linked to the Russian channel RT (Russia Today) for promoting Russia and spreading lies against countries like Ukraine.
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Total channels removed (2025) | 34,000+ |
| Jan-Mar 2025 | 23,000 |
| Apr-Jun 2025 | 11,000 |
| Main countries involved | China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan |
| Source | Google Transparency Report |
Which Countries Were Involved and Who Was Targeted?
Where were these channels from?
- China: The largest number, 7,700 channels, were linked to China, promoting Chinese government views and criticizing countries like the USA.
- Russia: Around 2,000 channels were from Russia, spreading lies in Ukraine, Poland, France, and other places.
- Other countries: Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ghana, and Israel also had some channels. For example, 457 channels from Azerbaijan supported their government while criticizing Armenia.
Who were they targeting?
These channels were trying to influence people worldwide, especially those.
- Interested in politics and international issues.
- Living in Ukraine, the USA, or Europe.
- Who understand Chinese or Russian, as many videos were in these languages.
How Did Google Catch These Channels?
Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) used several methods.
- Checking accounts: Many of these channels created multiple accounts in unusual ways.
- Similar videos: They posted the same videos or messages repeatedly across different channels.
- Strange activity: Their likes, comments, and shares were not like normal users and seemed automated or planned.
- False information: Many videos spread lies, for example, fake stories about the Ukraine war.
Google used a mix of technology and human review to find and remove these channels. It was a complex process, but Google’s advanced tools made it possible.
What Kind of Content Was on These Channels?
What were these channels posting?
- Chinese channels: Videos in Chinese and English praising the Chinese government while criticizing countries like the USA.
- Russian channels: Videos in Ukrainian, French, and English praising Russia and attacking Ukraine, NATO, and Western countries.
- Other countries: Iranian channels supported Iran and Palestine while criticizing the USA and Israel.
What kind of fake stories did they share?
These videos were designed to confuse people, such as false stories about the Ukraine war, or videos meant to create fear or anger to push certain beliefs.
What Do YouTube’s Rules Say?
YouTube has strict rules called Community Guidelines, which say
- No videos or content that are false, misleading, or harmful.
- Channels that keep breaking the rules are removed.
- In some cases, videos may be allowed if they are for education, documentaries, or art.
How does YouTube handle propaganda?
- Google uses machines and people to find and remove such content.
- If a channel is found spreading propaganda, it can be immediately removed.
Transparency -Google releases a Transparency Report every few months, showing how many channels, it removed and why. You can check it on the Google Transparency Report website.
What Impact Did This Action Have?
Why was this action important?
- Protecting people: False information can mislead people and shape their thinking in the wrong way.
- Building trust in YouTube: Removing false content helps people trust YouTube more.
- Warning others: It sends a message to those planning to spread lies that they can be caught.
The bigger message –This action shows that platforms like YouTube and Google take their responsibility seriously. They want people to get safe and accurate information.
Google Transparent Policies
Has Google Taken Such Actions Before?
Yes, Google has taken similar steps before. For example:
- In 2019: Google removed 210 YouTube channels that were spreading propaganda against the Hong Kong protests.
Results- These actions have reduced the spread of false information, but new methods of spreading lies keep appearing, so Google must stay alert.
How Can You Avoid Misinformation and Propaganda?
Every day, millions of videos are uploaded on YouTube. Some are true, while others are not. Here are easy tips to protect yourself.
- Check the source: See who posted the video. If the channel is new or has a suspicious name, be careful.
- Cross-check the news: Verify information on reliable sources like BBC, CNN, or local news sites.
- Report it: If you see a video that feels false or misleading, report it on YouTube.
- Watch your emotions: If a video is trying to make you extremely angry or scared, it could be propaganda.
How to find the truth?
- Trust reliable news channels or websites.
- Websites like Snopes or FactCheck.org can help you check if a news story is true.
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Conclusion: Let’s Keep the Digital World Safe and Clean
Google’s action is a big step toward making the digital world safer. It shows that platforms like YouTube and Google are actively fighting false information. But it’s not just their job. We all need to stay alert and check if what we see online is true.
- YouTube’s responsibility: To keep watching and removing harmful content.
- Our responsibility: To get information from reliable sources and report false videos.
If we all work together, our digital world can be safer and more trustworthy.
What Do You Think?
Have you ever seen a video on YouTube that felt wrong to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this article with your friends so they can stay safe from false information too.
Why did YouTube remove so many channels in 2025?
YouTube removed these channels because they were spreading lies and propaganda to mislead people. Some were pushing certain countries’ agendas, while others were posting fake news about elections and wars. YouTube wants its platform to stay safe and trustworthy, so it took strong action to protect viewers like us.
How can I tell if a YouTube video is fake or propaganda?
It’s easier than you think. If a video feels overly dramatic, makes you angry or scared, or if it is from a suspicious channel you’ve never heard of, take a pause. Cross-check the news on trusted sites like BBC or local news websites. You can also check websites like Snopes to see if the story is true. If it feels wrong, it probably is.
Does this mean YouTube is now 100% safe from fake news?
No platform can be 100% clean, as new fake channels keep popping up with different tricks. But actions like these by YouTube and Google show they are serious about fighting false information. We, as viewers, also have a role to play—report videos that feel fake and share only reliable information with others.
