Several users noticed that their content was not visible if the site’s ‘restricted mode’ was switched on.

YouTube has issued a statement in response to accusations that a number of LGBTQ+ users’ videos were hidden from the site under its ‘restricted mode’.

On Sunday (March 19), several prominent LGBTQ+ vloggers and video creators noticed that their videos on topics such as dating, attraction and inspiration had been hidden by default in the mode, which is intended to filter videos containing potentially inappropriate or “mature content.”

Using the #YouTubeIsOverParty hashtag on Twitter, YouTube users, including British YouTube personality Rowan Ellis and Tyler Oakley – who has more than 8 million subscribers – hit out at the video platform. Oakley noted that recent video ‘8 Black LGBTQ+ Trailblazers Who Inspire Me’ had been rendered invisible under the mode.

In the statement, which was posted to the YouTube Creators Twitter account last night, the company explained that the “intention of Restricted Mode is to filter out mature content for the tiny subset of users who want a more limited experience.”

“LGBTQ+ videos are available in Restricted Mode, but videos that discuss more sensitive subjects may not be,” it said, while adding: “We regret any confusion this has caused and are looking into your concerns.” Read the full statement below.

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