YouTube To Become More Kid Friendly?

Apr 20, 2009 at 9:30am ET by Barry Schwartz

Ars Technica reports Google has informed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that they have been working on a new filtering system for videos, comments and communication on YouTube. It is believed that Google is working on these changes in order to make YouTube more kid or family friendly, by complying more with the FCC regulations for TV viewing.

Google wrote to the FCC:

Google Inc. (“Google”), by its attorneys, files these comments in response to the Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) issued by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) initiating a proceeding as required by the Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007 (“CSVA”) to examine the existence and availability of advanced blocking technologies compatible with various communication devices and platforms for programming parents deem indecent, violent or otherwise objectionable.2 As we explain, Google is committed to empowering and educating parents so that they can create a positive and safe online experience for their children.

A number of initiatives designed to give users and families greater control to moderate their YouTube experience, including the ability to filter video comments they find inappropriate.

Previously, YouTube had to create sophisticated software to protect copyright over music and videos. That software has been doing a pretty good job identifying videos or music on YouTube and quickly removing such video.

In other YouTube news, YouTube has been testing a super seekrit channel design.

Barry Schwartz is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here.

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