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YouTube defends video falsely claiming Bondi Beach massacre survivor is ‘crisis actor’
🇵🇸 Palestine /Culture & Society

YouTube defends video falsely claiming Bondi Beach massacre survivor is ‘crisis actor’

From Times of Israel · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • YouTube defended its decision to keep a video online that falsely accused a Bondi Beach massacre survivor of being a 'crisis actor'.
  • Google Australia manager Rachel Lord testified that the decision was made at 'quite senior levels' and met platform standards.
  • The survivor, Arsen Ostrovsky, was targeted online after an image of his head wound circulated, with the video suggesting makeup was used.

A Google executive defended YouTube's decision to allow a video falsely claiming a survivor of a Sydney antisemitic massacre was a 'crisis actor' to remain online, stating the choice was made at 'quite senior levels' and complied with the platform's standards. Rachel Lord, Google Australia manager, testified before a government inquiry into the spread of antisemitism in Australia.

We have spent a lot of time thinking about where we draw the line and we continue to re-evaluate where we are doing that.

— Rachel LordAddressing the government inquiry about YouTube's content moderation policies.

The inquiry is examining an attack by two terrorists on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney in December, which resulted in 15 deaths. Lord was questioned specifically about a video targeting survivor Arsen Ostrovsky, who was attacked online after an image of his bleeding head wound was posted on X. The video in question suggested Ostrovsky's injury was staged with makeup and labeled him an 'intelligence asset' with a 'degree in theater,' also claiming the massacre was a 'false flag operation.'

very crisis actor-ish

— Video transcriptDescribing Arsen Ostrovsky's head wound in the disputed YouTube video.

Lord acknowledged that the decision to keep the video on YouTube had undergone review by senior management. She stated, "We have spent a lot of time thinking about where we draw the line and we continue to re-evaluate where we are doing that." The lawyer leading the inquiry's evidence, Richard Lancaster, referred to a transcript of the video, describing the claims made against Ostrovsky.

makeup

— Video transcriptSuggesting Arsen Ostrovsky's bleeding head wound was staged.

Lancaster suggested that the video's continued presence online indicated a 'really serious deficiency' in YouTube's hate speech guidelines. Lord responded by appreciating his 'feedback.' YouTube had previously informed Australia's online safety regulator that it was 'focused on ensuring Australians and all users around the world have access to high quality information about the tragic events.' Ostrovsky had testified last month about experiencing online hate, abuse, and AI manipulation since sustaining his injury.

intelligence asset

— Video transcriptLabeling Arsen Ostrovsky in the disputed YouTube video.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Israel. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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