YouTube cracks down on QAnon, banning conspiracy content targeting individuals

YouTube, the video service of Google parent Alphabet Inc , said on Thursday it was banning content that targets an individual or a group using conspiracy theories such as QAnon or pizzagate that have “been used to justify real-world violence.”

The company said in a blog post it would begin enforcing these expanded hate and harassment policies immediately and would “ramp up” in the weeks to come.

YouTube’s move follows recent crackdowns announced by other major social media companies, including Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc , against QAnon content. Facebook earlier this month said it would remove any Facebook pages, groups and Instagram accounts “representing” QAnon.