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YouTuber AKTK Accuses YouTube India Of Shadow-Banning Anti-Leftist Content, Alleges Bias Against Nationalist Voices, Tacit Support To Leftists

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YouTuber and content creator Aaj Ki Taza Khabar, known as AKTK, who boasts 1.44 million subscribers and over 1,400 videos, has publicly come out with a video criticizing “YouTube India” for allegedly shadow-banning his content whenever he mentions names of left-leaning journalists and YouTubers like Ravish Kumar, Dhruv Rathee, or Rajdeep Sardesai. According to AKTK, the YouTube algorithm swiftly demonetizes his content when his content mentions these names. He recently shared a video documenting this issue and questioned whether this is how the algorithm is supposed to work.

On 21 August 2024, AKTK took to his official X account to reveal that mentioning names like Ravish Kumar, Dhruv Rathee, or Rajdeep Sardesai in video titles led to demonetization. He posted, “Mentioning Ravish, Rathee or Rajdeep Sardesai name in Video title can demonetize your video। Herez d proof @AshwiniVaishnaw  @Shehzad_Ind  @YouTubeIndiaIs this how your algorithm works? Really shocking how Big Tech is controlling the narrative @AchAnkurArya @ajeetbharti.”

In his post, AKTK included a video detailing his experience with YouTube India. He described how he initially titled a new video, “Operation ‘Save Mamata’ by Andh Namazi Gang,” and had no issues with monetization. However, when he changed the title to “Operation ‘Save Mamata’ by Ravish -Dhruv-Rajdeep,” the monetization status switched from “on” to “limited” within minutes, and YouTube imposed ad suitability restrictions. After reverting to the original title, he could fully monetize the video with no limits.

The video quickly went viral, prompting widespread discussion among netizens. Many criticized YouTube for perceived bias, accusing the platform of favoring left-wing or liberal content creators while suppressing right-wing or nationalist voices.

YouTube and Indian General Elections

The issue of shadow banning and content suppression by the US-based tech giant YouTube is not new. During the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, numerous YouTubers who supported the incumbent BJP party reported encountering shadow bans and demonetization, which significantly hindered the visibility of their content. Many of these creators, who had predicted a decisive victory for the BJP and a significant loss for Rahul Gandhi’s Congress Party, faced similar issues.

After the polling concluded on 1 June 2024, and with the release of exit polls, political commentators and journalists increasingly turned to YouTube as a platform for their analyses. This shift occurred as digital media continued to grow in influence. However, some YouTube creators believed that the tech giant unfairly restricted their content. They took to social media to demand action against what they perceived as biased treatment by YouTube India and relevant authorities.

Similar Instances

Notable figures such as senior journalist Ajeet Bharti, The New Indian editor Rohan Dua, TV journalist Sushant Sinha, The Jaipur Dialogues media platform, and YouTubers AKTK and Ankur Arya voiced their concerns. Still, their appeals did not receive a response.

Rohan Dua

Dua highlighted the issue on X, asserting that YouTube’s actions represented a “criminal offense to influence polls” and suggested that the platform fostered anti-Modi sentiment. He claimed that recorded conversations of 17 YouTube India employees revealed instructions on how to shadow-ban neutral coverage while promoting anti-Modi content. Dua alleged that this conspiracy affected press freedom and mentioned that among those involved in manipulating the algorithm were 17 employees, including five women and 12 men from various Indian states. He believed this constituted “criminal conspiracy under IPC Sections 127A, 120B, and 171B/R bribery charges.”

The accusations suggested that videos from pro-Modi creators mentioning opposition leaders or INDI Alliance members were flagged and demonetized. Creators then faced two to three days delays in resolving these issues, during which time the news became outdated, diminishing the video’s relevance and viewership.

Ajeet Bharti

Bharti reported on X that YouTube had demonetized 35 of his videos over the past 45 days and re-monetized 32 after appeals. Despite these re-monetizations, the delays resulted in zero revenue during peak election periods. “They were wrong 32 out of 35 times during the peak election period,” Bharti noted. Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani has also expressed concerns over YouTube’s alleged targeting of BJP-supporting creators, citing instances of demonization.

String Reveals

In a related case in September 2023, right-wing YouTuber Vinod Kumar faced a similar situation when his channel “String Reveals” was arbitrarily banned. Kumar subsequently took legal action, filing a petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, seeking two crore rupees in compensation and the reinstatement of his accounts. His content primarily focused on promoting Hindu culture and temples.

 

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